He could feel the muscles in his cheeks protest as he smiled, hiding the frustration he felt.  Repeating back what the couple had ordered, he excused himself.  Glancing around the restaurant, he couldn’t help the feeling of jealousy fill him at the sight of the couples that occupied the tables, filling the restaurant rather quickly.  It couldn’t be helped, it was, after all, valentines day.  A day that he usually wouldn’t pay attention to unless the girls that he hung around with brought him chocolate.  Chocolate that he would enjoy, though he wouldn’t let anyone know that he enjoyed it.  Away from the tables and through the double doors that lead to the kitchen, the sound of his coworkers chattering took his mind off the couples that were enjoying the romantic day.

Glancing around the kitchen, spying the clock that hung on the way and the sound of relief that escaped his lips.  One last order and he was done for the night.  Slipping his hand into his pocket and fingering his phone, he gave the order to one of the chefs before turning at the call of his name.  The young woman, the one waitress that he slept with stood beside him.  ”Here, I thought you would like these, Yonekuni-kun,” the girl, Inuyama, offered, holding out a finely wrapped box out to him, “they’re from the store that’s just down the street from here.  I thought you’d might like them.  Y-you do like chocolate, right?”

He held back from answering right away, knowing that if he spoke truthfully, he would end up hurting the girl’s feelings.  But he didn’t want to make a scene, wanting nothing more than the day to be over with so he could be with his lover.  So instead of telling the truth that he didn’t care much for sweets, he just nodded and took the box that Inuyama handed to him.  ”Yeah, I do like chocolates.  Thank you, Inuyama-san.”  About to turn, to head towards the employee locker room and slip the box into his bag, he stopped when he felt the warm hand on his arm, reminding him of the slight heat that the woman had given him a while back.

“Oh!  Um-, you’re not going to have one right now, are you?  I mean, I want to see if you like this brand.” The embarrassed flush to the woman’s cheeks and the stutter, seeing the woman look away from his gaze.  He didn’t have to guess what she was thinking, seeing eyes peeking up to him and then darting away quickly. “No, I’ll have one later.  My shift is almost over.”  He explained as he spun the combination and opened the locker.  Slipping it inside with the other chocolate he received, he turned and saw the down turned expression that the woman wore.  Guilt at him for brushing her off and while he was already taken, he still wanted to live up to the prince like dream that the girls have dubbed him with.  Forcing away the smile that he had been wearing, feeling a genuine starting to spread.  ”I’m sorry, Inuyama-san.  I’ll let you know when I come into work after school on Monday, okay?  It’s just that I’ve got plans tonight and I want my shift to hurry up and finish.”

His words truthful, he could see the down turned look change to that of hopefulness and the nodding of a blond head.  He watched her turn and leave the locker room before pulling out his phone, calling the one number that he now knew by heart.  The ringing and the sound of Shirou’s voice when the male answered. Talking quietly, he glanced at those who entered, watching the curious looks sent his way before he hung up, heading back for the last hour of his shift.  The call of his name and the nod towards the plates.  Forcing a smile once more, he carried the order to the table, knowing that it was his last for the night.

~

Shivering under the layers of clothing he wore, Yonekuni shifted the bag on his shoulder as he walked quickly from the train station towards the one home that he knew he would be welcomed.  Glancing down at the plastic bag he carried, the order that he placed before finishing his shift at the restaurant. A dinner alone, just the two of them with the house to themselves.  Hidden deep in his bag, under the box of chocolates was two bottles of expensive and fancy lubrication that he had been eying for some time.

He could remember seeing the bottles at a shop that he passed by every time he came to and from work, sold in a little shop that was in the same shopping district as the restaurant.  Displayed for the sole purpose of drawing curious customers inside, especially for the day that was solely meant for lovers.  Lovers.  The mere thought of the word left a feeling in his chest, his heart thrumming in excitement, in ways that he couldn’t describe.  He wasn’t used to the word lover, but he was with the one person who left his body and mind excited in a way that no one else was able to do. Curling his fingers tighter around the handles of the bag, he walked faster, glancing at his watch and knew he had to hurry.

Slipping past those who were walking a little too slow for him, seeing the platform ahead, he gave a sigh of relief.  In little time, his was off, knowing that his stop was just a few minutes ahead.  Glancing out of the corner of his eye, seeing the movement of other passenger, the few that were riding anyway.  It seemed that majority of the population was already out, enjoying the romantic night.  Through the cold glass windows, he watched the lights of the city blur by, becoming nothing more that a distant memory when the overhead announcement chimed in.  The slowing of the train, bracing himself and waiting for the full stop and the parting of the double doors.  Stepping out of the warm train and into the frigid night away, he shifted the bag he held and followed the path that he knew by heart.  Steps quick as he pulled the scarf he wore closer in the hopes of warming up, hiding his smile at the sight of the familiar house and the light that drew him in.

A quick hand unlocked the gate before him, slipping past before locking it, up the path and the steps that stopped in front of the door.  Raising his hand to knock, only to pause at the sound of the tumblers of the lock moving and the faint creak of the door opening, the welcoming face of Shirou. Stepping back as the door fully opened, he caught sight of the apron that Shirou wore and the flour that dusted the hands that had mapped his body many times.

“Come in, Yonekuni, you must be cold.”

He could never get over the thrill of his name being spoken by Shirou, instead of what Shirou used to call him, stepping inside the warmth of the house.  Lifting the plastic bag he carried, handing it to Shirou before slipping his bag off his shoulder, quickly shrugging off his jacket.  He couldn’t help but watch the way the heavyweight canine acted, almost as if his lover was practicing in becoming a wife.  Feeling his lips twitch at the thought, he couldn’t picture Shirou staying home and taking care of everything.  No, he didn’t think that Shirou would be one to be comfortable staying home and playing homemaker.  Instead, he could imagine the male in the position of power.  Chuckling, he caught the curious look that his lover gave him and just shook his head.  He didn’t think that Shirou would like it if he was imagining him as a home maker, though he had to admit to himself that he liked the way his lover looked in an apron.  Toeing off his shoes, he grabbed his school bag and followed Shirou further into the house, catching the flush on Shirou’s cheeks.

Past the living room, pausing to toss his bag to the floor, he caught sight of the decked out table and the bottle of wine that must have been chilling for several hours.  Sneaking a look at Shirou one last time, he couldn’t help the smirk that crossed his face.  ”I see that I wasn’t the only one looking forward to this,” his teasing words were met with his lover coloring even more, “ready to eat?”

“Y-yes.”

‘Really,’ he thought to himself as he helped Shirou pull the food out of the plastic bag, ‘did Shirou even know what he did to him?’  He held back a sigh, reaching for the bottle of wine and with a loud pop, the cork was removed.  He never knew that this romantic day for lovers would be something completely different from what he was thinking it would be.  With the capability to seat several people, he wasn’t surprised to see Shirou take a seat next to him at the table, feeling the brush of legs against his and the look that was sent his way.

~

Holding back what he wanted to say as Yonekuni excused himself, he watched the blond pause and look over his shoulder, trying to hold back the shiver that ran through his body at the look blue eyes held.  ”There are some bottles in my bag, could you get them out for me?”  Swallowing, Shirou nodded, looking over at the bag that lay on the floor where the heavyweight tossed it.  Once he heard the bathroom door close with a click, he pushed himself to move, drying his hands before he knelt down on the floor and opened the bag that Yonekuni carried to and from school, licking his lips nervously.  He felt guilty looking through the blond’s bag, despite the fact that Yonekuni had asked him to grab some bottles that he carried.

Curiosity got the better of him, seeing things that Yonekuni carried with him.  He easily found the bottles that Yonekuni had mentioned, reading the label and flushing at the thought of the lubrication being used on him, his imagination supplying ideas that made his heart race. About to close the bag, he caught sight of a box of chocolates, which was a little strange since he knew that Yonekuni wasn’t one to have much of a sweet tooth.  Did Yonekuni figure out that he enjoyed treats such as these?  Giving himself a little shake, he fought with himself before opening up the box just enough to see the variety of chocolates.  Finding his fingers hovering over several, telling himself that he shouldn’t take one unless Yonekuni offered.  Fighting with his conscious, he picked one from the center and took a bite.

Feeling the chocolate melt on his tongue and the faintest spice on the back of his throat as he chewed.  Glancing up to make sure that Yonekuni hadn’t seen him eat a chocolate, he couldn’t help but grab another before slipping the cover back on and placed it back inside Yonekuni’s bag.  With the bottles set aside, he pushed himself and clenched his eyes tight when he felt his head start to throb and felt the room start to spin. Pressing his lips together to keep from calling out, he felt his heart start to race as his breathing quickly became labored.  Struggling to make it the couch, he all but fell onto the welcoming cushions as he felt his body slowly start to tremble, joining the heat that started working its way through him.

Bowing his head, he kept his eyes closed as he struggled to get control over his body.  Never seeing the figure of his lover stepping out of the bathroom and the click of a light, the quick footsteps and the figure that knelt down to look up at him.

“What’s wrong?”

He could only gasp at the sudden feel of a cool hand on his forehead, the faintest and sudden, if only temporary, relief.  Forcing his eyes open, he looked into worried blue eyes.  Licking his dry lips, opening his mouth several times before he could form words. “C-chocolate.  I had some of the chocolate in your bag and now-”

His words were bitten off as the heat inside him coiled and grew, coursing through him faster, feeling his body start to throb.  ”M-my body feels hot.”  The feel of a thumb rubbing against his bottom lip, watching through hazy eyes as Yonekuni licked at the same thumb that rubbed his lower lip before kneeling down to rummage through his bag.  he watched the blond head duck and the mutter of words as the heavyweight found what he was looking for.  The loud curse echoed in the air and the toss of a box back onto the floor before he felt the supporting arm around his chest, slowly urging him to his feet.

“Come on, lets get you to your room.  I-,” the tsking sound of Yonekuni’s voice and the words that were almost reluctant in coming, “the chocolate that you ate, it contained an aphrodisiac, a drug.”  He caught the downturn of Yonekuni’s lips in a fierce frown, though the saw the barest hints of color on his lover’s cheeks.

“D-drug?”  Shirou winced at the stumble of his voice, ashamed that he couldn’t control his body, wanting to look away from Yonekuni but couldn’t.  ”Why did you buy chocolate that was drugged?”

“I didn’t!”  The answer snapped back at him and the sigh when Yonekuni caught his flinch.  ”I didn’t buy the chocolates, I mean.  A coworker gave them to me.  No wonder she was so insistent on me eating one before putting the box in my bag.”  The words spoken softly as they reached the second story, slowly being guided down the hall to his room.  The turn of blue eyes on him, as if Yonekuni had felt him looking at him, the light color that dusted the blond’s cheeks darkened.

“If I knew you liked chocolate, I would have picked some up some-” Yonekuni paused, remembering that it was the other way around on valentine’s day.  That the girls gave the men they liked chocolates and that a month later, it would be the men’s turn to return and give the girls the chocolate.  Stopping the sound that rose in his chest at the heat that the canine gave off, he guided Shirou into his bedroom and urged the breathless canine onto the bed.  ”Just stay right there, I’ll be back in a minute.”

He knew he was acting out of character around Shirou.  With other people, he wasn’t gentle nor was he patient.  Why should he show others a side of himself that he didn’t want to acknowledge?  But with his lover, he couldn’t help but hold back his sharp tongue.  To show the male that he was a perfect candidate for his attentions, to prevent the canine from looking for someone else.  To him, it was almost as if he was attempting to court Shirou.  Ducking his head in embarrassment at his thoughts, he quickly bounded down the stairs and to where Shirou had been sitting just minutes earlier.  Kneeling down and grabbing the box of chocolate that he had tossed to the side, shoving it back into his back before scooping up the two bottles that Shirou had taken out before he collapsed.  Grabbing his bag, he turned and took the stairs two at a time, walking quickly back down the hall and into the room that he had just left.

Light from the lamp on Shirou’s desk illuminated the room, giving it a soft glow and allowing him to see that instead of sitting on the bed where he left Shirou, his lover was curled under blankets.  Catching the faint trembling of the body underneath, he approached and reached down, pulling away the blankets that Shirou had taken cover under.

“U-Y-Yonekuni, I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling so good.”  The color on Shirou’s cheeks had darkened, the gasps that the male had tried to cover and the way pale eyes avoided looking at his.  The glance and watching them dart away, almost in embarrassment as a sound that resembled a moan escaped.  A hand that lifted and pointed towards the door, the words that accompanied the hand.  ”I-it would be better if you just go home-”

He hide his smile against the back of Shirou’s hand, the tip of his tongue tasting the salt on the canine’s skin.  ”Why are you so insistent of sending me home?”  Murmuring softly against skin, trailing his lips to nimble fingers.  ”Don’t tell me that you’re ashamed of what the chocolates doing to your body, because I plan to help you through this, even if I didn’t know about the drugged treat.”

He flashed the heavyweight canine a look, watching Shirou slowly sit up and move, as though his lover was trying to hide his body’s reactions.  ”Is this what you’re trying to hide?”  Reaching out and down, feeling the hard flesh twitching and strain under his touch.  A smirk on his face when he slipped the button free and slowly lowering the zipper.  ”Why are you ashamed of this?”  He gave Shirou’s cock a gentle squeeze, reveling in the sound of pleasure and want escaped from the aroused male.  ”Aren’t you like this because you’re turned on?  And while you’re like this, why don’t I help you get off?”

His fingers outlined Shirou through his clothes, enjoying the gasp and thrust of hips, forcing the flesh further into his grasp.  Teasing Shirou slowly with his touch, gently working the fastenings of the male’s pants to give his hand room to slip inside, past the clothing that blocked his way, he slipped his hand inside.  He tried to hide his surprise, though he couldn’t hold back the smile that curled at his lips at the feel of dampness and the shame that crossed  the heavyweight’s face.

“Y-you see?  I-I can’t control myself,” Shirou looked away from him, “just thinking about you and my-” the swallow that the male made was loud enough to hear and the lick to a lower lip, “my body reacts to my thoughts.”

Pulling his hand free, seeing the fluid that clung to his fingers, almost translucent, giving just a hint of the fluid that was slowly building up inside the wolf.  Bringing his hand up, he slow sniffed at his fingers, catching the musk like smell that belonged to Shirou only.  A low moan, deep and rumbling in his chest as he licked at a finger, the taste that rolled across his tongue.  Catching the drops of Shirou’s pre-cum, he kept his gaze on his lover’s face, the expression that melted to pleasure.  Licking another finger, he knew Shirou was watching the movement of his tongue as he caught more of the fluid.  Reaching out, he pulled and tugged at Shirou’s loose pants, tugging the clothing down and urging the heavyweight to lift his legs up enough to pull Shirou’s pants down and off, tossing the clothing off to the side.

“There, that’s much better,” he eyed the half-naked male and the sight that he provided, “I can see why you thought you’d be ashamed.  But you know,” the tips of his fingers slid along Shirou’s pale legs, “you shouldn’t be ashamed.  After all, I love it when you’re like this.  It shows that you want me.”  Moving his fingers inward, gently touching the quivering flesh that strained up at him and the gasp of his name as his hand curled around Shirou’s cock.

Moving quickly, he knelt on the  bed and between Shirou’s legs, staring down at the flushed male, seeing and watching the heavyweight squirm under his gaze.  Pushing up the edges of the buttoned shirt, he ducked his head, running his hand up the pale stomach while he traced the lines of Shirou’s muscles with the tip of his tongue, dipping and following downwards.  Moving further down, the tip of Shirou’s cock bumped the underside of his chin.  Glancing up, he caught sight of the wide, gray eyes and a bottom lip being worried.  He could read the words in Shirou’s eyes, could only imagine the words that the heavyweight wanted to speak.  ”Don’t even say it.  You’re not, okay?”  Staring intently into wide eyes until he saw the hesitant nod.

Forcing legs up, he nuzzled the hard flesh with his nose before the tip of his tongue darted out, enjoying the musk of Shirou’s skin.  Yonekuni licked his way up to the crown of his lover’s flesh, feeling Shirou’s legs start to tremble and the startled cry when he fully took the heavyweight in his mouth.  He was embarrassed to admit that he didn’t know what  he was doing when it came to pleasing Shirou like this, relying heavily on what the canine did to him.  Weighing Shirou’s cock on his tongue, he picked up the rhythm that seemed to falter when his lover bucked upwards, forcing him to pull back.  Fingertips teased and explored the base of Shirou’s cock, slipping downward to cup the taunt sack, rolling it gently in the palm of his hand before feeling downward and deeper to the hidden spot that he had sunken into so many times.

Rubbing the pads of his fingers against the small, twitching hole, while his free hand cupped Shirou’s flesh.  ”Your body is waiting for me, are you imagining me sinking inside you?”  He asked, licking at the falling droplets of pre-cum.  ”Hmm?  Can you feel me rubbing against you?”  Fingers pushing against the hole gently, testing to see if he could slip into Shirou’s body with nothing to ease the way, pulling away when he caught the wince  on his lover’s face.  The bottle of lubrication that he bought was grabbed, breaking the safety seal and flipping the cap open, tilting the bottle and giving it just the right squeeze, watching the slick gel fall free from the bottle and onto his fingers.  The slight tilt of hips, the eagerness that filled his lover’s eyes, as though the canine couldn’t wait for his touch.

A rough sound, resembling a rumble deep in his chest and the answering sound he received in return.  He could see it, could sense the soul that always called out to him.  Catching the widening of gray eyes and the low moan that escaped from Shirou, he let his soul slip more.  His control, being held together with the barest of threads, was being tested.  Baring his teeth in a vicious grin, he slipped his slick fingers back to Shirou’s ass, rubbing against the small hole.  Chuckling to himself, pushing one finger in, watching Shirou’s body slowly accept the digit.  The heat that surrounded his finger, the vise like grip that the heavyweight had on him.  Waiting for only a moment before pushing a second finger in, the groan and the crook of his fingers, pressing against the one spot that had Shirou arching his back and gripping tightly on the blankets below.  Swallowing hard, he reached down to the fastenings of his pants, feeling his cock strain  at his clothes.  With practice, he slipped the button free and got th zipper down, giving him room to slip his hand inside.

Giving his cock a squeeze in attempt to relieve the pressure that he felt was mounting, he didn’t want to come in his pants without any stimulation, not like a young kid.  He was better than that.

“Yo..Yonekuni…”  The call of his name, looking up to see Shirou struggling to sit up, leaning against one hand while the other reached out to him, “p-please give me-more.”  The plea in the heavyweight’s voice had him pulling his free with a slight sound that was ignored by the canine, rearing up and kneeling.  his fingers were quick, struggling to slip the buttons free, uncaring of the sound of clothing being ripped and buttons that couldn’t handle the strain, ripping off.  Tossing the ruined shirt to the side, he pushed the rest of his clothing down his hips and off, letting his pants hang off the side of the bed, uncaring as he resumed his position between Shirou’s parted legs.  Grabbing the bottle that had been set aside, he squeezed the lubrication, just enough to give his flesh a good, slick coat before he leaned over Shirou’s body.

Hands that grabbed at his shoulders and fingers that curled, clutching at him, legs that came up to cradle him, allowing him steal lips while he guided himself into the lubricated hole.  Catching the hitch in Shirou’s breathing when he pushed, the groan that rumbled out of his chest was muffled by the kiss as he settled further against Shirou.  Pulling back to catch his breath, he could only stare down in wonder.  No matter how many times he thought about it, he could never get over the feeling of Shirou wrapped around him.  As though the heavyweight was made just for him.  His lips moved, forming words that had Shirou flushed, reaching up to cup his cheek and the finger that pressed against his lips, silencing him.

“You don’t have to say anything, Yonekuni.”  Fingers through the back of his hair, gently urging him closer.  Smiling against the finger, leaning in and kissing Shirou softly before he pulled back again, seeing the anticipation in Shirou’s eyes.  Pushing forward, he felt Shirou’s body tighten around him while legs that cradled him pulled him closer.  Slowly picking up a rhythm that they both knew, he couldn’t help watching the emotion that crossed Shirou’s face, the deep flush and the muffled cries, watching teeth biting down to muffle the sounds that his lover was making.  Slowing his movement, he reached out to grasp at the hand that was coming up, as though the canine wanted to cover his mouth with it.

“Why are you muffling your cries?”  He gave a shallow thrust, barely brushing up against the heavyweight’s sweet spot, watching Shirou struggle to hold back the sounds before he gave another push, reaching down and cupping Shirou’s cock.  The licking of lips and the bobbing adam’s apple as Shirou swallowed, trying to form words.

“B-because I don’t-AH!”  His hand jerked at the flesh it held, moving deeper and brushing against Shirou’s prostate, watching the body below tremble with pleasure.  The gasps as the canine tried to catch his breath, ignoring the sting of blunt fingernails digging into the skin of his shoulders and the sudden tightness that squeezed him.

“I-I don’t want to be over heard.”

He could only stare in disbelief at the answer.  It was Shirou who told him that it would be just the two of them.  That they were the only one’s around.  Holding back a sound that would be a laugh at Shirou’s forgetfulness, his lover was so lost in the pleasure that he forgot that they were the only ones in the house.

“Don’t you remember?  It’s just you and me here.”

“I-it’s not just that, it’s embarrassing.”

He watched the heavyweight turn away, the pleasured flush that covered Shirou’s face darkened to that of an embarrassment color.  Saying nothing, he just chuckled low enough, moving once more as he turned Shirou’s head to face him.  ”Don’t be embarrassed, I love the sound of your cries.  It tells me that you’re enjoying what I’m doing to you.”  Ducking his head to nuzzle the underside of the canine’s chin, licking at the sweat that started to dot and gather along pale skin.  ”If you weren’t making such noises, I’d be more than worried that you weren’t enjoying what I’m doing.”  His rhythm picking up speed as he felt his body start to tense, feeling his body start to falter, sinking his teeth into the juncture of Shirou’s neck and tasting blood as he came.

The panting of his name in his ear, the grip that the body below hadn’t released and instead, tightened as he pulled away from Shirou’s neck.  The droplets of blood that quickly appeared, swelling in size before he licked at the reddened skin, washing away the blood with a swipe of his tongue.  Holding back a groan, he pulled away and rolled onto his back, pulling Shirou on top of him, forcing the canine to ride him.  Trailing his gaze down Shirou’s body, pausing at the sight of the hard, reddened flesh between Shirou’s legs, the canine groaned and shifted.  The weight forced Shirou down further on his cock, giving him the ability to reach deeper.  To be fully seated inside his lover’s body.

“You like this, don’t  you?  I’m in deeper this way-”  he paused, slapping Shirou’s hand as it crept up, “no, I think I’m going to keep you like this.  Hard and,” flicking his fingers across the dark, flared head of Shirou’s cock, “waiting.  But you know, it always surprises me how your body can accommodate my size.”  Hands slipping behind, one grasping at a cheek and spreading so he could feel the stretched entrance, feeling Shirou’s muscles tense as the wolf slowly, hesitantly, move up on his cock before making the downward movement.

“Y-Yonekuni!”

He grinned up at Shirou, fingertips slipping inside the already stretched hole, his cum slowly trickling out, coating the inside of his thighs.    ”Teasing you like this,” forcing Shirou’s hips further down, enjoying the pleasure that crossed the canine’s face, the pleading that he could read in his lover’s gray eyes.  Smiling as he pulled his fingers free before Shirou leaned down, their movement slow as words that rang with truth.  He couldn’t help but whisper the words back, watching with satisfaction as Shirou stiffened, spilling his cum between them.

“I love you,” he uttered softly into the heavyweight’s ear as Shirou braced his hand on the sides of his head, “don’t ever thing different, okay?”  Deep down, he knew Shirou was still unsure, almost as though he was afraid of the happiness that had come his way.  Reaching up, he brushed away sweaty bangs, watching Shirou lick his lips and nod.  Stealing a quick kiss, he pushed upwards, startling the male.

“W-wait!  We just did-”

“Do you think that your body will be satisfied with just one go?  We’ve got all night, Shirou.”

~

He wasn’t sure what woke him up hours later, though he could guess it was the feel of the empty bed next to him.  Having tried to reach over to pull his sleeping lover close, pull Shirou into the curve of his body.  But instead of Shirou being next to him, sleeping or maybe looking at him as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the bed was cool to the touch.  Rubbing at his eyes, blinking as he sat up, glancing around the dim bedroom.  What light that filtered through the curtains provided just enough to allow him to slip out of bed and maneuver around the bedroom.  As he slipped his pants on, reaching out to part the curtains to glance out the widow, hearing the rumbling of thunder and the dark, over cast skies.  Pulling his ruined shirt on, he caught the faint sounds and the hint of food being cooked.

Following the sounds out of the bedroom and down the hall, taking the steps of the stairs quietly before finding his missing lover standing in the kitchen, his back to him and the apron tied around his waist.  The same apron that Shirou had worn the night before.  He found himself moving, molding himself against Shirou’s back while nuzzling against the canine’s neck.

“Feeling better?”  He asked, mouthing at the spot that seemed to radiate Shirou’s scent.

“Yeah-I mean, yes, I’m feeling better.  Thanks to you.”

Catching the faint coloring of the head that ducked, turning Shirou’s head and stealing lips in a quick kiss.  Tracing the seam of Shirou’s lips, he pulled back and smiled.  ”Any thing for you.  Seeing you like that last night, debauched and wanting, willing for more.  Though you seemed to deny it yourself last night.  You were sexy last night as you rode me.”  He chuckled, watching Shirou turn away in embarrassment.

As he helped Shirou with breakfast, he didn’t see that box of chocolate that was situated to the side, half hidden in the shadows.  The same box of chocolate that Shirou had gotten into the night before.  If he had seen the box, he would have asked why Shirou brought it out.  He would have spoken up if he had caught the calculated look that his lover shot him, would have asked why it was out.  No, with his back to Shirou, he didn’t see the box being pushed deeper into the shadows to be used later.

With several books opened before him on the table, Shirou found his gaze turning away from the text to the window to his right. The building clouds off into the distance, giving warning to those that paid attention that it would rain soon.  A smile started to spread across his face as he started to remember the reason why he loved the rain.

He used the silence of the library to his advantage as he moved from the doorway towards the back, right where he knew where Shirou would be. Slipping between the rows of shelves, he waited in the shadows.  Watching Shirou turn from the books he was reading and papers he was writing to the window.

Catching the smile that started to curl at the heavyweight’s lips, he followed Shirou’s gaze to the clouds that promised rain. A clench at his chest, briefly wondering if the male was thinking about his “other” self. It still ate at him to think that Shirou had fallen in love with a side of himself that he wasn’t aware of. Every time he thought about it, it caused his stomach to clench in a way that was new to him.

But, he would reason with himself, Shirou stayed by his side. And he soon learned that Shirou loved him wholly, not just a side of himself that he didn’t remember.  Biting down on his tongue to keep from calling out, he found his hand reaching out, following the shadowed path to the back of his lover’s chair.  Just a fingertip away from the nape of the male’s neck, swallowing hard at the inviting skin before he followed what his instincts told him.

Brushing his lips against the bare nape, he could feel a rumble start in his chest at the taste of the skin. Feeling the movement as Shirou tried to look over his shoulder and the whisper of his name. Shoulders that had tensed for a moment relaxed, alowing him to slip his fingers down the back of Shirou’s shirt. Mouthing lightly at Shirou’s nape, he couldn’t wait until he was curled above the male’s back, biting down just enough to mark the heavyweight as his.

Hiding his grin, he whispered a promise that was for Shirou’s ears only, catching the coloring to the canine’s cheeks.

He could feel the softness of dark hair under his finger tips as he ran his fingers through the male’s hair.  Almost gently cupping the back of Shirou’s head, as if he were petting the heavyweight before his fingers curled and grasped tightly at the strands.  Ignoring the surprised cry, the whimper of pain as he jerked his hand and forced the male’s head up.

“What did I tell you?”

He could feel his lips curl in, showing canines that longed to rip into flesh and become crimson stained.  To taste blood that his soul called out for. Catching the sight of the swallow as the male nodded, a hesitant tongue coming out to lick at dry lips.

“T-that you didn’t want me to-”

His hand held Shirou’s head in place while his free hand came down and slapped the canine across the face hard enough to split the male’s bottom lip.  Revealing in the choked cries and the tears that slipped free from pale eyes.  The hatred that stared up at him and the blood that Shirou spat at him was enough for him to jerk the heavyweight face down on the bed.

He always enjoyed the struggle that the male gave as he forced long legs apart. The echoing cries as he took the male as his own, the scent of blood that stained his skin as he claimed his partner and mate as his own.

“I told you that I didn’t want you talking to any one else that wasn’t for business. Why must you always defy me?”

His words caressed Shirou’s ear, his hair blocking the male’s view of him. Losing count of the pleading to stop, he ignored the cries of his name, the cries of pain and words of hatred as he fucked his lover.  Anger at mistakes from the past, taking it out on his partner.  Body moving quickly, dominating the one below him as he came, never noticing that the male never responded to any of his touches.

Not that he cared.

He sat on the rooftop of the school during lunch, enjoying the faint breeze that end of spring was giving off.  Eating quietly with his best friend, he thought back to the words that changed everything in his life.  No matter where he was, he could always recall the words that his mother and father had spoken to him on his tenth birthday.

He smiled to himself as he remembered sitting down at dinner, the worry he caught in his mother’s pale eyes.  And the shifting of dark eyes when his father sat across from him, catching the look that his father shot his mother.  At his young age, he didn’t really give the action much thought.  After all, he was raised to trust what his parents told him.  Looking around the table, missing the family that would have gathered around the table when they lived with his grandmother.  Still, he couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed when he didn’t see Oushou.  His friend, his best friend, was spending time with his family and he knew he’d see the snake when school picked up at the start of the following week.

“Shirou-chan, it’s your tenth birthday today.  And it’s time that you know what your future holds,” his mother began as she smiled at him in that gentle way that told him something was about to happen, “you remember the Dmitriev family?”

His hand paused as it reached for his cup.  The name sounded familiar but he couldn’t picture anyone by that name.  Catching the worried look that his father shot his mother, the dark haired male spoke up.

“You remember playing with a young boy named Mikkel, don’t you Shirou?”  His father asked him, his fingers reaching for the item that his mother held.  He remembered playing with a young boy when he was staying at his grandmother’s house.  Amber colored eyes that seemed to light up when he caught sight of him.  He slowly nodded, his little fingers curling around the cup and bringing it up to his lips to take a sip of water.  The warm smile replaced the worry that he had caught on his father’s face.  ”That’s good.  I was afraid that you may have forgotten them.”  Biting his lip, he shifted in his seat.  The stiffening of his parents bodies told him that he wouldn’t like what was going to be said.  Keeping his mouth shut, he waited for his father to continue, but it was his mother who continued where his father had stopped.

“The reason your father asked you if you remembered Mikkel is that you’re to marry him on your eighteenth birthday and bear the heir of both our company and the foundation that your ancestors have founded as well as the heir of the Dmitriev line.”  Nearly choking on his water, setting aside the cup before wiping at his lips.  Opening his mouth to say something, the warning look in his mother’s eyes had him snapping his mouth shut.  ”I know you don’t like it, but you have no choice in the matter, got it?”

He had squirmed in his seat, not liking the fact that his future was decided for him but there was nothing he could do.  He knew the reason why his parents did what they had to do in promising his hand to an old, childhood playmate.  Lines weakening and those dying off.  The ideal promise of two strong lines coming together and keeping the blood thick with power.  He knew this and yet, he held back the sound of disappointment.  To go back on a decision like this would be a slap in the face of tradition.  He nodded.

Yes, he had remembered those words that his parents spoke eight years ago.  The conversation rolling over and over again in his mind when he would lay awake at night, staring up at the ceiling when he couldn’t sleep.  Time had flown by so fast, leaving him only only two weeks of freedom before he was to meet and marry the one he was promised to so long ago.  Sighing into his drink, setting the box aside and looking up, catching the concerned look that Oushou sent him.  The way food had paused halfway towards the snake’s mouth before the male had set aside what he was about to eat and leaned forward a little, eyeing him in the way that he had come to know from so many years as friends.

“What’s wrong, Shirou?”

He could always count on his friend to be concerned, he didn’t even have to say a word, the snake seemed to know how he was feeling.  The perfect partner.  He knew that the middleweight was interested in him and it broke his heart to know that he couldn’t be with someone who was so in-tuned with how he was feeling.  And even after letting down Oushou gently, Oushou was still interested in him.  After all, the words that his parents told him constantly reminded him of the path in life that had already been chosen for him.  He didn’t have a choice of picking his own partner.

“You remember what I told you when we were kids?  About things that have already been arranged for me?”

The snake across from him chewed and swallowed, setting down his chopsticks on top of his bento while a look of concentration crossed his face before dark eyes widened.  It seemed that Oushou did remember.

“You mean the marriage contract your parents decided on when you were ten years old?”

He nodded, sighing again before reaching for his drink, taking a sip before lowering the box once more.  ”My birthday is next week, everything will be set into motion with no turning back.”  He forced a smile, laughing a little, though there was nothing funny about the situation.  ”At least I know the person I’m supposed to marry.”  He caught the hurt in Oushou’s eyes and the way that the male looked away from him.  Berating himself for causing the hurt in the male’s eyes, he looked around the rooftop to make sure that they were the only one’s there before crooking his finger at his friend.  Biting his lip when the snake glanced at him from the corner of his eye before blowing out his breath.  Reaching over and grabbing Oushou’s shirt, pulling the male closer before dropping his hand away from the shirt to cup the back of Oushou’s head.  Leaning in, he licked at parted lips with the tip of his tongue.

“Just because I have to marry the person my parents betrothed me to doesn’t mean I don’t care about you, Oushou-”  He paused at the shocked look that his friend gave him while he felt heat rising to his cheeks.  He hadn’t done that to Oushou before, licking at lips that he had thought about.  While he couldn’t be with Oushou the way that his friend wanted, he couldn’t defy his parents.  Not when their blood and ancestry rode on his breeding and marrying one of the few Tundra wolves out there.  But he still had fantasies about such things.  But going by the shocked look that the middleweight wore, his friend wasn’t expecting his action.

“You’ll always be close to my heart, just as you’ll always be the boy who befriended me when I was lost.”  He smiled at the memory, seeing Oushou’s face flush.  ”Do you remember what you said to me that day?  “You’re a man and men shouldn’t cry!”  The flush to Oushou’s cheeks darkened.  ”You were my first friend when I moved here and you’re still my best friend,” he smiled a the snake turned away in embarrassment, “so please don’t be upset.  If I had a choice in who I marry, I wouldn’t be marrying the one my parents chose.  Just like you’ll find the right partner-”  He caught the flinch on Oushou’s face and bit his tongue in frustration.  ”I’m sorry, Oushou.  I seem to hurt you, no matter what I say.”

Catching the shifting of his eyes, knowing his friend wanted to say something but was hesitant in both his words and his actions.  ”You know you can ask me anything, Oushou,” he began only to pause when he caught the hungry look the snake wore.  ”O-Oushou?”

“Be careful when you say something like that, Shirou.  You know how I feel and how hard it is to hold back when I’m around you.”

He could feel his heart race as he spoke, seeing the widening of gray eyes and the coloring to cheeks that he long to hold and touch.  After years of holding back his feelings for the heavyweight, he confessed to Shirou.  Poured his heart out.  And though the response he had gotten wasn’t what he wanted, he stayed by Shirou’s side.  It wasn’t Shirou’s fault that his parents had betrothed him to another and he knew why it was done.  After all, you have to do what needs to be done to make sure that your species doesn’t die out.  And the fact that business tops over love, seeing Shirou at his side as his partner was nothing but a dream, a fantasy that he could only let die.  He knew exactly what Shirou was, was the only very few that knew what his best friend was.  After all, as Shirou had told him, he had found the heavyweight when he was lost.

~

The late summer sun that was slowly starting to set caused his shadow to grow as he walked back from his friend’s house, his older brother holding his hand.  He looked up, seeing the exasperation that crossed Hiromasa’s face, his brother was upset for having to get him though the older boy rarely showed his displeasure outright.  The heat that usually bothered others only seemed like a minor annoyance, though he enjoyed the shade that the trees provided.  Walking along the wall of a park, passing the opening before he paused and dug his heels into the sidewalk.  A sound, rather like a cry, almost a whine, reaching his ears.  He glanced up again to see Hiromasa staring down at him, the frown that he wore had deepened and the narrowing of eyes so much like his told him that his fifteen year old brother wasn’t happy with him stopping.

“What is it now, Oushou?”  The heavy sigh that his brother gave as Hiromasa’s gaze drifted away from him and to the street that would soon lead them home.

“I hear it.  The cry, almost a whine.  You don’t hear it?”  The bored look that the older male wore lifted for a moment as the snake looked around, as though he was trying to catch what he had heard.  Glancing around before looking back down at him.

“I’m not hearing anything, Oushou.  You must be imagining things.  Now, come one.  I’ve got better things to do than wait around for-”

He tugged his hand out of his brother’s grasp.  The sound that called to him, a primitive and animalistic.  A cry that awoken what he was.  ”Stupid brother!  You don’t hear the cry for help?”  Turning on his heel, he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him, following the sound into the park.  Past the benches that stood empty, the play ground that only a few lingered to play and towards the grove of trees that provided the shade to those who enjoyed the park.  Pushing deeper into the park, the sound that his soul, as young as he may be, recognized.  Off the path that lead around the park and into the grove of trees, he finally saw what or rather, who, was making the sound.

“Are-are you okay?”

A young boy kneeling on the grass, sitting close to a large tree.  Hair pale and the twitching of ears on top of the boy’s head gave him little indication of what he was.  Wide, gray eyes looked up at him, blinking before small hands rubbed away the tears that had slipped down flush cheeks.

“What?  D-do you know where I am?”

He knelt down in front of the boy, the unexplained excitement filled him and while he didn’t recognize the language the boy spoke, he reached out and brushed away the tears that still continued to fall down the boy’s cheeks.  ”Can you speak Japanese?”  A minute pause, watching the boy’s throat move as he swallowed and licked his lips.

“Y-yes, I can speak it.”

The strength, despite the stumble, in the boy’s voice had him trembling inside.  He pulled back his hand and stood up to look down at the boy, the slitting of gray eyes told him that the boy was paying attention.  ”Good,” he dusted his hands on his shorts before squaring his shoulders, trying to look older than his five years of age.  “You’re a man and men shouldn’t cry!  At least, that’s what my brother told me.”  Hands that were rubbing at flushed cheeks dropped away as the one before him started to smile.  ”Good.  Stop crying,” he nodded and reached down to help the boy up, “now, who are you and why were you crying?”

The hand that he held, helping the boy up, clasped tightly onto him as the boy stood.  ”I-I’m lost and don’t know how to get home.”

His gaze drifted away from the captivating gray eyes and down to the  rather large tail that was currently being tucked between the boy’s legs, as though the tail could see that it was being watched.  ”Whoa, w-what are you?”  Words that blurted out before he could stop them.  The hand that he held pulled away along with the widening of pale eyes.  The sound of a pop and the form that the boy must have been trying to hold back came through.  Mouth dry and fingers itching, he found his soul giving in to what had just happen, forcing it’s way out in submission to the larger form before him.  The boy couldn’t be a normal dog, bigger and larger in power, despite being roughly the same age as he.  Glancing up from the ground, feeling the heat being radiating off the dog, it was only a moment before he felt the familiar pull, the touch to his forehead and the sigh.

“I told you not to run off, Oushou and now that I had to run after you, you should learn to-”  Hiromasa’s words froze in his spot and the five year old chanced a look up at that boy next to him.  ”Whoa, Oushou!”  The awe in his brother’s voice had him wary, the older male was never impressed and when he was, he tended to be devious.  He watched as a hand reached out and the little growl that emerged from the animal that soon grew to a warning sound.  Teeth showing in a defensive maneuver, joining the fur that started bristling along the boys’ back.

“I wouldn’t do that,” he tried to warn his brother, “he’s not an pet.”  His words were ignored as his brother continued to reach out.  Lips pulled away from sharp teeth.  Baby teeth as they were, he didn’t want to find out how sharp they were.  Paws that were almost as large as his hand steadied the body they held up, the stance that warned him and should have warned his brother.  The faint call of a name, barely catching the words over the breeze that picked up, rustling the leaves in the trees, caught the boy’s attention as the stance changed to that of friendliness.  Teeth were covered up by lips as the boy caught sight of two people running up to them.

The rush of words, similar to what the boy first spoke.  He didn’t have to understand the words to hear the worry and emotion in the woman’s voice as she spoke quickly.  Voice gentle, the worry that the female showed the boy.

“Oh, Shirou, why did you run?”

Words spoken softly, the hand on the boy’s forehead dispelled his soul completely, reverting pale hair to that of a dark gray, bordering on black.  Eyes just a shade dark as the boy’s turned to him and though the smile remained on the man’s face, his attitude cooled and the atmosphere thickened between them.  His skin crawled as the strength came off the male’s form in waves just before the woman joined the man, her strength just a bit stronger than the male’s, making his brother step back in fear.  He knew his brother was strong, but the two before them had his brother paling.  Hands at his side trembled as he turned his attention from his brother back to the two.  Catching movement as the dark haired boy moved from the protection of behind them to the front, clutching at the pants of the older male, watching as the boy bit his lip before swallowing.

“Papa, he-he found me,” the flush to the boy’s cheeks and ears that slipped out, twitching as the boy’s gaze landed on him, “he was going to help me home.  I-I made a friend.”  The smile given to him and the eyes that narrowed, as though the older man could read his thoughts.  The coldness in gray eyes slowly changed.

“Yeah, I was about to ask him where he lived and help him home.”

A moment of silence before a gentle smile, one that dogs were famous for.  The friendliness that replaced the cold demeanor, welcoming and warm attempting to soothe them after the scare.  ”I apologize for scaring you and your brother,” a sigh of relief as the man looked down at the boy, “it’s just, Shirou here slipped out of the house and we’ve been looking for him for some time.  You see, we just moved here a few days ago and though my wife and I know the area, Shirou here doesn’t.”

He couldn’t help the jealous feeling he got from watching the boy-Shirou, receive attention from his parents.  His parents, mother, wasn’t that affectionate when it came to him and his brother.  He knew she loved him, but she wasn’t one to show such emotions to her children.

“You’re the Aogiri boys, right?  We moved just a few houses down from you.  Come on,” he stepped back as the dark haired male stood up to his full height, “we’ll walk the two of you home, alright?”

As they walk, he caught the curious glances that Shirou gave him and the nudge of his brother’s hand against his shoulder, letting him know that he had caught the looks his new friend gave him.  He couldn’t pull his attention away, drawn into the look of happiness that the boy had give him.

“It looks like Shirou wants to be your friend,” the woman, Shirou’s mother, commented as she looked down at her son and then at him, “he’s been down since we moved.  But now that he has a friend, I hope he’ll be happy again.”

~

The echoing sound of the bell ringing pulled him from his memories of first meeting Shirou.  And falling in love at first sight.  Of course, years ago, he hadn’t known what he wanted to do with the male.  But now that he was older, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with Shirou.  After all, his fantasies had gotten him through the lonely nights, thinking about what he wanted to do to the heavyweight.  To see Shirou’s face flushed with pleasure and hear the wolf cry out in pleasure from his touch.  He could feel his face heat up when he remembered the dreams he had, the fantasies he came up with when he was alone in the bathroom.  Bending Shirou over the a desk to fit his chest along the heavyweight’s back.

“Are you okay, Oushou?  You’ve been really quiet-”

“Shirou, can I come over this weekend?” The question that had been on the tip of his tongue, blurted out, seeing his friend’s eyes widen before the male nodded.  This was his last chance, with Shirou’s birthday net week and by then, it would be too late to do anything.  Not with Shirou being married off.

“Yeah,” he caught the faint words and the coloring of Shirou’s cheeks, “you can, Oushou.”  The hint of a pink tongue peeking out to lick at lips, following the movements with his eyes.

“Two guys eating lunch up here, alone.  Disgusting.”  He didn’t have to turn around to know who had spoken, the familiar drawl that pulled his attention.  Closing his eyes, he gathered his strength and hoped that the blond’s words wouldn’t get to him.  Taking a deep breath, he released a sigh before opening his eyes to glance at the Shirou.  The curiousness that he could see in Shirou’s gray eyes, the worry and the hint of anger.  Feeling the corners of his lips twitch in a smile that wanted to spread.  He had something that Madarame would never have.

“No one asked for your opinion, Madarame,” he pushed himself after he gathered his things, seeing Shirou do the same, “leave, I’ve got nothing to say to you.”  Keeping his head down, as though not to attract attention, he watched the wolf’s stance stiffen as Shirou seemed to analyze what Madarame was doing.  He caught movement out of the corner of his eye, looking up to see that Madarame had moved from behind him to his side, looking not at him, but at Shirou.

“Is this the one you’re attracted to?”  The mocking tone grated on his nerves.  ”It’s sad a middleweight like you could only get a monkey.  And a rather pathetic one at that.”  Hands at his sides curled into fists, he wanted to tell the blond off, to tell him what Shirou was.  But then, that would mean he would have to share what he considered his.  And why should he have to share with someone as rude as his classmate?  Opening his mouth to speak,  the look that Shirou gave him had him relaxing.  He had what Madarame would want, if he knew what Shirou was.

“Come on, Oushou, lets go.”  The murmur that told him more in just a few words than what the blond had given him.  Snagging his jacket as he turned, catching the brush of Shirou’s shoulder against his classmate’s and the narrowing of blue eyes.  He could feel the glare against his and Shirou’s back as they walked away.  ”Is he always like that?”  A quick look at Shirou’s lips before he turned away.

“Yeah,” attention on the stairs as they descended down, “if you’re not a girl, you’re nothing but scum to be stepped on.”  He could remember seeing a first year approach Madarame just a few weeks ago.  The hurt on the boy’s face and the cruel words that echoed in both the room and in his memory.  Blowing out his breath, hoping that the rest of the day would be better now that he had the weekend to look forward to.  But a shiver of fear ran through him at the thought of Madarame finding out Shirou’s secret.  He didn’t like the fact that his best friend, the one he loved,  had to marry someone that wasn’t him.  He tried secretly, going behind Shirou’s back to his parents, asking for Shirou’s hand despite being young and not the species that Shirou’s parents were looking for.  The kind words that the older woman had given him, the explanation and the rejection was enough to make him back off.  And while he had to just bow his head and give Shirou up, he didn’t want anyone else to know about Shirou.

Waving away the heavyweight’s concern, Oushou watched Shirou press his lips in a disappointing grin before nodding his head, turning away to continue to his class.  The weekend couldn’t come fast enough.

~

He kept his mouth shut at the look the monkey shot him.  Both heated and appraising, he felt the gaze on his skin but the dismissal from the one with the glasses had him gritting his teeth, stopping himself from lashing out at someone who dared to dismiss him without saying a word to him.  Glaring at the two as the door closed behind them, leaving him alone on the roof, waiting for the returner to ancestry to get out of class and join him on the roof.  The nekomata had begged him for the training and being the nice guy that he was, he agreed.  After charging Noririn for it, though.

But the sight of the two talking earlier, his classmate who’s name he never bothered to learn and the monkey, class president that seemed to be popular, for whatever reason.  But the sudden brush of a shoulder against his, a brief flash of something that vaguely resembled heat, left him curious and wanting to know more.  To find out what had happened.

The sound of the door opening and Norio’s voice had him shaking his head, pushing away thoughts of the dark haired male out of his mind and what he felt left him uncomfortable.  Turning to the lightweight, he eyed the small male.

“You’re late, Noririn.”

~

Glancing away from from the stack of papers that cluttered her desk, she turned her attention to the window and the slight overcast of a sky.  The rumbling that signaled to the world that it would soon rain.  The faint knock on the door had her turning her attention back, pushing her chair away and standing.  The turmoil that rolled in her stomach refused to leave.  She called out, watching the door open and Soujirou, her husband and partner, her mate in life, walked in.  ”Mischa, I-I just want to say that I wish that we didn’t have to resort to what we have to do.  I always thought that Shirou would marry for love.  Like I did when I met you.”  Arms that she relied on to give her strength wrapped around her, leaning back against the heavyweight’s chest.

A rumbling sound of agreement, she closed her eyes and nodded.  ”I know.  And I so wish that Shirou-chan could be with one that his heart chooses but we have to do something.”  She murmured softly, only loud enough for the one behind her to hear.  Enjoying the comfort that Soujirou offered her.  ”But then, with the lack of candidates out there and the few that are remaining are either too sick or in hiding, away from us, afraid that they’ll catch it.”  She didn’t have to look over her shoulder, feeling the male behind her stiffen at her words.

The sickness that seemed to strike at random and only at those of blood of wolves.  A disease that lingered in genes, hidden from ancient times, remnants of past warfare through out the ages.  Of course, those would could afford it, had doctors researching for some hope of a miracle cure, though it was all hush hush.  Whatever knowledge was known was protected fiercely, jealously guarded.  But as far as she knew, there was no cure and no one seemed to know why it would strike one person and not another.  One whole family, leaving another alone, decimating what numbers were left.  No one of madararui blood, outside their species, knew what was happening.  After all, they were considered extinct around the world and tended to present a facade to the  public.  Most choosing to present themselves as powerful monkeys in the hopes that the sickness wouldn’t strike them.  And while she and Soujirou were lucky so far, each of their parents weren’t so lucky.

So far, their son hadn’t shown any signs of the disease that took his grandparents.  She-, no, the both of them knew that they could only hope that Shirou wouldn’t be stricken by it.

“If we weren’t trying to continue the strong line, I would have given Oushou-kun the permission to court him.”  She sighed wistfully, her tone sad.  ”So far, the Dmitriev family, their line, seems to be unblemished by the disease.  I’ve been checking and while one side seems to be clear, I’m having trouble searching on the other side.”  Starting to worry her bottom lip in a way that was habit, it was the feel of strong fingers rubbing against her lip, attempting to stop her.

“Shirou doesn’t know the real reason that he’s in this arranged marriage, right?”

Nodding her head, answering Soujirou’s question.  ”Remember, we first told him that it was to strengthen our blood, our line to increase the strength and the heirs that he could have.  He doesn’t know that it’s for the hope that their offspring are born without it.  That it’ll end with the breeding of two powerful families.”  She wanted to curse the ancestors that caused what seemed like a curse on the wolves of the world.  She so much wanted to demanded why them and no other species?  Closing her eyes tightly, taking a deep breath before releasing it.  Their future of their line and the future of the Dmitriev family rested on Shirou’s shoulders and that of his groom, Mikkel.

“Let’s hope that all of our work goes unnoticed and that our fear of the worst will pass us by.”  Soujirou murmured into his wife’s pale hair, never knowing that the premonition that he felt would cause everything to crash around a single event.

~

Throughout the week, as slow as the days past, he could only watch Oushou avoid his eyes at lunch.  Watching the middleweight become agitated, shifting in his seat ever minute or so, the glancing and the conversations that he had that seemed to be just one sided.  Holding back the conversation that he had been forcing, he sighed and stared down at his drink.  Ever since the conversation he had with Oushou on the roof, it had been nothing but one sided.  With his friend distracted by thoughts that would cause the male to flush a little and when Oushou caught him staring, concerned, the flush would darken and his gaze avoided.  Letting out a silent sigh, he gathered his things before pushing back his chair.  Lunch was closing to an end and while he seemed to be welcomed in the room, he could feel the animosity.  Especially from the one who sat next to Oushou during the day.  Biting his tongue to keep from asking, he started off, pausing to place his hand on his friend’s shoulder.  ”I’ll see you after school, okay?  You’re still coming over, right?”

A slow blink and the start of a smile on Oushou’s face.  The slightly blank expression that his friend had been wearing cleared up with an embarrassing cough.  ”Sorry, Shirou,” the look that joined the smile, “I guess I’ve been thinking about today, all week I’ve been looking forward to this.”  He didn’t have to guess what Oushou had been thinking about.  It most likely was the same thing he had been thinking about.  The arranged marriage and the thought of having to spend his future with someone he barely knew and hardly remembered.  He wanted a chance to explore a night, a weekend of pleasure with someone he knew and cared for.  To be touched because someone wanted him, not because they were ordered to by his family.  Nodding his head, he left the classroom, walking back to his own class while feeling feeling the curious looks and gazes on him.  The prickling like feeling on his skin, the hair on the back of his neck starting to rise.

Carefully looking over his shoulder, glancing and scanning those that lingered in the hallway and those that were walking to or from their classrooms.  A sniff to the air, tasting it and the pheromones of those around him gave off.  One or two told him the willingness to mate while a few told him that the females around were in heat.  Ducking his head to hide to coloring to his cheeks and the look of concentration on his face.  He wasn’t stupid, he knew that he was one of the few heavyweights that went to the school.  But he was the only one of his station in his calls, though there were a few lightweights and one or two middleweights.  They didn’t know what he was, only that he was their friendly class president.  Nothing but a monkey.  So who would look at him to cause the hair on the back of his neck to rise?  The malicious feeling that seemed to crawl along his skin.

A glance at the clock that hung above the chalk board told him that this wasn’t the time to think about.  Class was soon to start and he still had a few hours left until school let out.  And then, a weekend spend with Oushou before his life changed, for either the better or for the worst.

“Hey-” he heard a girl’s voice, one that sat beside him in class.  He didn’t know up, knowing that they-she, wasn’t talking to him.  ”Did you hear?  There’s a rumor going around that Yonekuni-kun is going in for a breeding session next week.”  The shocked gasp of another girl and as he glanced out of the corner of his eyes, seeing those that were of madararui blood, he released a silent sigh.  Those bored enough to participate in the gossip had nothing else better to do.  So what if the blond was selected to breed?  It wasn’t so unusual.  But then, he had to admit to himself that he felt a little jealous that Madarame was free to do what he wanted.

As the group continued to chatter on, he tried to force his heart from racing at the thought of the blond.  Sure, he found him to be attractive and while both his body and soul seemed interested, he didn’t want to explore the warmth like feeling he got when he thought of blond.  Of course, this wasn’t the first time he thought of Madarame.  The way shoulders would roll back when the male stood to his full height, looking down on him and on Oushou.  The striking feeling he got whenever he caught sight of the heavyweight.  But even with all that, it was the male’s attitude that he could life without.  After all, they were the highest that their blood had to offer and acting, treating others as though they were beneath them wasn’t an option.  Still, he found himself clutching at his chest, wanting the freedom that others have and took advantage of.  And while his arranged marriage was set for his eighteenth birthday, he would just have a fleeting chance of freedom this weekend.

The sound of the door opening with a clattering sound, pulling him from his thoughts while the chattering nearby died down to hushed whispers and low murmurs.  While the tear wrote on the blackboard and started on his lesson, he looked around carefully, hoping no one saw the moment of weakness that he had given in to.  As class stretched on, the rumors stretched.  The guessing and the speculations that his classmates went through, wondering who Madarame’s partner would be and where it would take place at.  The slight whining, the upset voices that vocalized their displeasure with the news, even one or two saying that they’d make a better partner.  All of this helped to take his mind off the nervousness that he felt at what was to come.  He was prepared, after surfing the internet and finding out what he would need.  Of course, he kept it a secret from Oushou that he did research.  The sights and the videos, preparing his body with just his touch, imagining that it was Oushou’s fingers touching him inside.  That hidden in his room was several bottles of lubrication and condoms.

He knew he wasn’t required to be a virgin for the marriage, but he remembered his father pulling him aside just a year ago, to warn him that if he did have sex with a partner, especially if it was another male, that he had to use a condom.  ”Shirou whatever you do, don’t come smelling of another male.  You can have sex all you want before this marriage.  But!  If you do and your partner is male, a condom is a must.  No seed of another male should touch you.  You need to be smelling of just you, not another.”  No seed would touch him until the night he lay with his arranged partner.  In the back of his mind, he could only imagine how Oushou would react to the use of condoms.  Sure, he knew he could take the snake in his mouth but to come inside him, he shook his head at the heating of his cheeks.  Nibbling on his lower lip in nervousness, slipping his papers into his bag when he felt a hand on the back of his neck.  The calming effect as fingertips gently rubbed in a way that always relaxed him.

“Oushou,” he looked up to see the excitement on the male’s face, “I take it that you’re ready?”  The grin that grew and the brief nod, missing the touch once Oushou’s hand dropped away.

“Yeah, it’s what’s been helping me through the day.  Well that and the rest of the week.”

Slipping his bag over his shoulder and pushing his chair in, he followed Oushou out of the classroom.

~

In the silence of the meeting room, the chair she occupied situated in front of the window that overlooked the courtyard of the hotel she and her partner owned and ran, the click of the door echoed.  Lifting her head from the sheets of paper before covering them with a folder.  It wouldn’t do her any good for her guests to see what she had been reading.  Information that she had taken out of the safe.  The opening of the door, standing and greeting the three that entered, followed by a fourth person, her husband as he waited for them to fully step into the room before closing the door behind him.

“It’s been a while, Mischa,” the murmured voice that belonged to a childhood friend, “it’s hard to believe that eight years have past since we meet here once again.”  Mischa nodded her head, taking a seat while the woman she grew up took a seat across from her, seeing Nadya turn and murmur softly in Russian to the male who would soon be her son-in law.  ”You see, Mikkel has been anxious to see his bride.  He’s been rather, anxious, to get to know him.”

Turning to the boy, who was just a year older than her son, glance around the room with little interest, watching him shift in his seat as boredom crossed his face, changing that to nervousness when he caught her attentive look.  The small, forced smile on his face, a greeting in a way before amber colored eyes looked away.  The male, Mikkel, kept his mouth closed, lips pressed tightly and she could only imagine teeth clenching tightly while hands stayed above the table, splayed out in a way that told her that her imagination was just acting up. Inclining her head just enough before pulling out the papers that had been signed eight years ago, though they were still crisp and white, not looking as though eight years had passed since they were out in the open.

“As per our agreement, eight years ago, your son,” a nod to the young male, seeing him look up with intent, “was to marry our son once he turned eighteen.  He would be planted with the strongest of womb worms available out there.  I take it that you brought what is needed?”  Her words rang with strength as one pack met another in the hopes of becoming a stronger line and be free of the disease that ran rampant in their peers.

“Yes,” the thick accent from Nadya’s husband, reminding her of her life in Russia, “from the highest source, guarenteed to plant on the first try.”

She hid her smile, keeping her expression calm and businesslike.  Just like her husband, Daimen seemed to prefer Nadya to do the negotiating.  But knew that he couldn’t be dismissed as weak, not when his strength matched hers.

“We will provide the hotel room and after your son, Mikkel sleeps with Shirou, the papers will be signed to signal their marriage.”  Seeing the briefest of nods as they agreed.  ”In return, my son will bear an heir for both of our families in the hopes of saving our line.”  She kept her mouth shut about the disease, seeing everyone nodding their head.  She knew that if given the chance, Nadya would rather have her son mate and marry a female of their kind.  They and her son were their last resort.  She glanced one last time at the amber eyed youth before silently asking her son for forgiveness.

“So, is it possible for me to meet him?”  For the first time in many years, she heard Mikkel speak.  Though his voice was thick with the accent of his ancestors and his homeland, he had no trouble with speaking the language of this country.  A part of her mind whispered that maybe this was a good thing, that if the male studied up and learned the language that had become Shirou’s natural language, it would make the marriage more easier.  ”My bride , I mean.  Is it possible to see him before the signing?”

Forcing a smile, trying not to show any weakness, he nodded.  The smile on her soon to be son-in law’s voice sent a chill down her spine.  She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake in keeping their line alive.

~

Feeling a brush against his shoulder as he walked away from the train station, looking out of the corner of his eye to make sure that Oushou was following, though he knew he didn’t have to look.  The male had been by his side since they left school, occasionally brushing up against him, as though the snake was trying to remind him what was going to happen.  Feeling his body thrumming with excitement, the hand on his shoulder had him stopping and looking towards the snake.

“You’re parents aren’t home, are they?”

He could feel the rush of excitement at Oushou’s touch, the feel of air brushing against his skin as his friend leaned in closer, ducking his head closer.  ”No, they have a meeting with the Dmitriev family.  The same family that I’m marrying into next week,” he explained softly at the confused look on the male’s face, “not that I know a whole lot about them.”  Biting his tongue when he felt Oushou pull away, he didn’t want the feeling to end.

“I should have confessed my feelings sooner,” his friend admitted, feeling the gaze on his skin as Oushou looked at him, “even if your parents won’t allow me to marry you.”  The rough chuckle at his look of surprise on his face before Oushou’s voice became serious.  ”You didn’t know?  I guess not, it was a a year or two after you told me about the arranged marriage.  I went up to your parents one day, when you weren’t home and asked if I could marry you.  Because I was and still am in love with you.  I didn’t want you to marry someone else other than me.  But my offer was rejected, though it was gently.”  He could hear the sadness in the male’s voice.  He would have never guessed that Oushou asked his parents for his hand.  Always thinking that the male had just bowed at the news that he would have to marry, leaving him a little disappointed that the snake hadn’t done anything else.  But now, with the admission of having asked for his hand, he felt his heart race with an emotion that he didn’t know before he reached out and grabbed Oushou’s hand in determination.

Curling his fingers around around Oushou’s, uncaring if those on the street saw him.  Neighbors and acquaintances alike were ignored as he picked up his pace, walking quickly towards his home.  Questions that Oushou asked were ignored as well, intent on dragging the snake home.  If he only knew that Oushou had asked his parents to marry him, he would have done whatever he could to back out of this agreement.  To plead to his parents that someone wanted him for him.  Tightening his grasp on Oushou’s wrist, in case the snake was even thinking of trying to pull away, he rounded the corner before glancing up at the house that belonged to his family.  Grand in scale, extravagant and empty.

Letting go of his hold on Oushou’s wrist, slipping his hand into his pocket for his keys, giving a sound of satisfaction when he found them and slipped them into the lock.  Stepping inside the doorway, hearing the greeting that Oushou always gave as he toed off his shoes before straightening his body, dropping his bag beside his shoes.  ”If you had told me sooner, Oushou, I could have tried persuading my parents into dropping the arranged marriage.”  Thoughts that had been running through his mind when walked home, emotion that had filled him at Oushou’s confession and the disappointment of knowing that he couldn’t do anything now.  It was just too late.

“All we can have is is a weekend, time that you can give me a taste of passion that will help me through a loveless marriage.”

The hand that enveloped his, leading him to his room.  The click of the bedroom door, the lock making sure that no one dropped in and watched the act between him and his weekend lover. Mustering up the courage that his kind was known for, he pulled away, turning and pushing Oushou against the door, pinning the middleweight.  ”You’re not the only one who has fantasies, you know.  Even after you told me you loved me, I thought about you late at night.  Touching me in so many ways.  In ways that a young boy shouldn’t think about.”  Ducking his head, nosing Oushou’s neck while his lips moved, trailing up the strong muscles to the underside of the male’s chin.  Tongue darting out, licking at the jawline in submission.  Silently telling him that he would love to be dominated by his friend, if only for a weekend.  Hands that came up, cupping his shoulders, fingers digging in and though he thought that Oushou would push him away for giving him a weakness, the male only pulled him closer.

The nape of his neck stroked softly, fingers sliding away from his shoulders to slip through his hair and the kiss that was his first and proper kiss.  The taste of lips and the inquisitive tongue that sought entrance, the taste of mint from a candy that the male must have popped into his mouth had him pulling back to lick at his lips.  A hand dropping away, slipping down to pull his shirt out and the feel of cool hands sliding up his back.  Gentle touches, being guided back away from the door and towards the bed.

“I’ve dreamt about this so many times,” swallowing thickly at the passion in Oushou’s voice, “thought about you on my bed.  Below me and wanting.”  The sudden flare of a soul above him, the snake form that that glared down at him and the answering flare of his in response.  Hands that had been bracing himself against the bed came up to unbutton the shirt he wore only to have his hands slapped away by Oushou.  ”No, let me do this.  Let me enjoy what I’ve been dreaming about.  Let me see your body,” words breathed out in awe as hands worked the buttons free, parting the shirt he wore to bare his chest, “so-”  He caught the trembling of Oushou’s body, reaching up and pulled his lover down, freeing one hand to slip between them.

He didn’t expect to feel lips attaching themselves to his neck nor the worship like feeling he got from the attention.  Tangling his fingers in Oushou’s dark hair, his other hand rubbing against the hard flesh hidden by the pants that the middleweight wore.  Biting down on his lip to hold back the gasps as teeth sunk in and the hard suck.  A mark that the male was leaving on him, temporarily marking him as his.

Feeling lips trail down to the juncture of his shoulder, his breath hissed out, resembling a name as a hand palmed him the way he was palming Oushou.

“I never done this before,” his confession was met with a warm smile as the middleweight pulled back just enough to give him a look, brushing against his lips.

“Neither have I, but I’ve dreamt and fantasied what I wanted to do to you.”  He admitted, excited at the prospect of being Shirou’s first and upset that he couldn’t be the male’s last.  Licking at the corner of Shirou’s lips, tracing the seam of the male’s lips with the tip of his tongue. The shirt that he had parted, the view of the heavyweight’s pale chest, nipples that he ducked his head for. Nudging the flat nipples before doing what he had thought about for so long. Laving each one slowly, tracing the edges with the tip of his tongue while his fingers teased and taunted the other, switching to the other while fingers teased the now damp nub of flesh.  Nibbling and sucking on the nipple, he could feel the trembling of Shirou’s body, muffled sounds that the heavyweight tried to hide behind clenched teeth.  Hiding his smile, he pulled back, loving the response that the male was giving him from just teasing his nipples.  Ideas of what he wanted to do, fantasies that he had thought of over the years abandoned, leaving him the nervous virgin as he stared down at the one he loved.

Bottom lip being bitten, the worrying of a swollen bottom lip, glancing at the canine below him.  The flush on Shirou’s cheeks spread, lighting up pale skin.  ”W-what-, how should I do this?  Everything that I fantasied about left me.”  He could feel the slow look over, the gaze on his skin as gray eyes become hotter as Shirou sat up.

“Then, just touch me.”  His hand grabbed and brought up to lips, seeing them part before a tongue peeked out, licking at his fingertips.  With his hand occupied, his free hand fumbled with his belt, leaving it undone and hanging open while he scrambling to slip the button free and pull the zipper down.  Focusing on the sight of Shirou sucking on his fingers, feeling his cock throb, reminding him, telling him what he needed to think of.  The feel of cool air hitting his wet fingers as Shirou pulled his hand away from his mouth  ”Touch me instead of relying on your fantasies.  I-uh,” the heavyweight ducked his head and pulled away from him.  He didn’t say a word as Shirou shrugged out of his shirt, tossing the clothing to the side  Hands working on the fastening of pants, he found his hands joining Shirou’s, slipping inside and feeling the heat welcoming him.  Curling his fingers around the hard flesh, feeling it throb and tremble in his hand.  He could almost believe that this was all just a dream, like the many dreams that he had before.  But the sound of his name being groaned out as Shirou arched into his touch.

Reluctantly pulling his hand away, he helped Shirou pull his pants down, forcing long legs apart once the clothing was pulled down and tossed to the side, forgotten.  Bared before him, nudging Shirou’s legs further apart, seeing the male’s body for the first time.  Sure, when he was younger, when he was just a kid, he bathed with Shirou.  But this, this was different from bathing with Shirou.  The color of Shirou’s cheeks darkened, the slight quivering of the hard flesh that strained at the cloth of Shirou’s underwear.

“You’re leaking, quiet a bit.”  Oushou chuckled to himself, leaning down to nose against the damp underwear that Shirou wore, breathing in the muted scent that he wanted to claim as his own.  Licking at the pre-cum stained cloth, pressing his lips and giving a light suck, as though trying to taste the male through the cloth.  Pulling at the edges of the heavyweight’s underwear, just enough to get a look at the flared head of Shirou’s cock and the clear fluid that beaded from the tiny slit.  ”Perfect,” words whispered as he pulled Shirou’s underwear down more, licking up the clear fluid that started to slid down the sides, “just as I knew you’d be.”  The sound of pleasure rumbling out of his chest, tugging the clothing down Shirou’s legs and tossing it to join the other clothes that lay discarded on the floor.

“Your taste surpasses what I’ve been imagining, Shirou.  So much more.”

Ducking his head to nose at the hard flesh that trembled with the rest of the canine’s body.  His hand reached out, fingers catching the pre-cum that trailed down the sides, rubbing the clear liquid between his fingertips.  Using the slight fluid to lubricate his touch, he trailed his fingers down, rubbing and gently cupping taunt balls in the palm of his hand.  The soft hair that dusted flushed skin, dipping lower into the hidden crevice to find the small, puckered hole that he had thought about for years, wanting to sink into Shirou’s body and make him his.  A single fingertip circled and rubbed against the small hole, feeling it twitch under his touch.

“Do you know how long I thought about your ass,” he murmured softly, almost to himself, dipping the tip of his finger inside while forcing one of Shirou’s legs up with his free hand, “of bending you over and sliding inside.”  His groan matched the one that slipped from Shirou’s lips as his dry finger pushed deeper.  ”Tasting you and learning everything I can about your body.”  Ducking his head, trailing up the underside of Shirou’s cock.  Finger pushing deeper, pausing when he heard a whimper, a sound that didn’t sound anything close to pleasure, looking up to see the grimace of pain flitting across his lover’s face from the movement of his finger.  Cursing himself silently, he knew he shouldn’t have rushed things, shouldn’t be in such a hurry to slip his finger inside.  Gently pulling his finger around, glancing around the room for anything that would help the ease of slipping inside Shirou.

“Lube?  Shirou, do you have any-”

“C-closet,” the stuttering words, looking up to Shirou’s flushed face, “there’s some in my closed.  I-I bought some a few days ago.”  The hand that was gently rubbing the inside of Shirou’s leg paused before pulling away.

“So I’m not the only one who was looking forward to this weekend.”  His words teasing, the widening of gray eyes and the darkening of the flush on Shirou’s cheeks.  Pulling away and standing, his footsteps quiet on the carpet as he reached for the door to the closet that the heavyweight had mentioned.  The creak of the bed and words of “It’s on the shelf”, looking up at Shirou’s order, seeing two bottles unopened while a third sat open and used just enough to supply his imagination of how Shirou used the lubrication.  Grabbing the bottles, his hand paused over the box that was hidden behind the bottles.  Condoms.  Feeling his heart fall, he knew he couldn’t blame the canine, knowing that the male was doing what was ordered.  Holding back the sigh of disappointment, he wouldn’t be able to see his seed filling Shirou and leaking out before turning to see Shirou up further, leaning back against the headboard.

Legs that were pulled back and spread out further  He could see a hand moving slowly and all thoughts of having to use a condom flew out of his mind.  Holding up the opened bottle of lubrication, a smirk edging on his lips, feeling the corners start to curl upwards.

“Wh-wha-”  the stammer as he approached, “t-that-it’s because-”

“You don’t have to explain,” his voice soft, hiding the chuckle at Shirou’s nervousness as he laid the bottles to the side, “you must have practiced some, haven’t you?  If you went through this much in just a few days, I wish I could have seen you”  Flipping open the cap of the bottle with his thumb, squeezing just enough on his fingers to give them a slick shine.  Curling his fingers gently around the hard flesh, his slick fingers returned to the small hole.

A whimper bitten off, licking at lips that were swollen from being bitten down on, kissing away the stinging pain while one slick finger pushed inside.  His hand slowly moving, pausing and gathering the fluid that seeped from the tiny slit of Shirou’s cock, using the warm fluid to help with the movements.  Watching Shirou’s expression change from uncertainty to that of pleasure, seeing eyes flutter close as he touched the wolf, stealing lips in a slow kiss, tasting the depths of his lover’s mouth.

“I-I want to touch you,” lips moving against his, words whispered as Shirou pulled back, “like the way you touched me.”  Unable to hide his glee at the thought of Shirou touching and sucking him, he pulled his fingers away from Shirou’s cock and out of the male’s body and though he was following Shirou’s request, the sound of displeasure made his chest swell with pride.  Pulling at his loose belt, feeling it slip through the belt loops, tossing it to the side and as he reached to push down his pants, he hands were slapped away gently.

“Let me have the pleasure of seeing your body.”  The warm hand slipped inside his pants, easing away his underwear to curl long fingers around his cock  The warmth of Shirou’s touch had him ignoring the words that his lover had given him, pushing at his pants only to find himself being pushed back against the bed, the back of his head resting on the soft blanket of Shirou’s comforter.

“You had your fun, it’s my turn.”  His heart raced at the authority like tone in Shirou’s voice and the sight of the heavyweight male kneeling above him, heat radiating off of Shirou in waves.  This image of his friend, his lover, caused everything that he imagined Shirou would look like pale in comparison to his fantasies.  Hair mussed and lips swollen, wet with saliva.  Watching a tongue darting out to lick at said lips before Shirou ducked his head, pushing up the shirt he wore.  A soft nose brushed against his skin, lips dotting his chest with kisses and nips, the sting of teeth finding his nipples, fingers doing to him what he did to Shirou.

Hands sliding down his chest, followed by Shirou’s lips.  Catching gray eyes looking up at him, feeling the tip of the canine’s tongue dip into the indentation of his belly button.  The hand that attempted to curl around his cloth covered cock, nuzzling against him before he hauled Shirou up, forcing the naked male to straddle him.  ”No, that’s not right.”  He murmured softly to himself, grabbing and turning Shirou around to face the other way, the male’s broad back facing him.

“Wha-what are you doing, Oushou?”  Words asked over a shoulder as he forced Shirou into position, watching as the wolf comply with his wants.  Feeling the bed dip a little as Shirou braced himself on his hands on the bed, beside his legs.

“You’ll see, Shirou.  You’ll see.”  licking his lips in anticipation at the sight presented before him.  Round, pale cheeks that hid the small, puckered hole that he had been touching only minutes ago.  The silence between them broken by a intake of breath as Shirou sent him a look before he moved.  He didn’t have to say a word, seeing the heavyweight get the idea of what he wanted.  The tugging of his pants, feeling the warm wash of breath against his flesh he reached for the opened bottle of lubrication he had set aside.  As the heat that Shirou called a mouth took him in, he tried to distract himself by trying to flip the cap open, his fingers kept on slipping as the edges of teeth gently scrapped the sides of his cock.  Fingers that teased his inner thighs, silently ordering him to spread his legs.  Soft touches, the trembling of his body, he was about to close his eyes when he caught sight of the slight shaking of Shirou’s hips, reminding him that his lover was waiting for him.

A chuckle at his forgetfulness, reaching up to cup each cheek.  Fingers creeping inward, rubbing the bad of his thumb against the slightly slick hole, feeling the small pucker twitch under his touch.  A gentle push, watching Shirou’s body yield to his thumb, the immediate warmth that surrounded his digit.  Leaning up to nuzzle one cheek, softly biting down and surprised sound that escaped, the push back against him.  Hesitant, as if Shirou was unsure that liked the feel of his thumb.  With one hand, he reached out, patting at the bed for the bottle of lubrication that he had set aside, finding and flicking the cap open.  Pulling away just enough, tilting the bottle and watching the clear substance trickle out and down.  The shiver of the body above him, the murmured words of “Cold” reached his ears before the mouth on his flesh pulled away, warm breath washing over his cock, giving him a taste of what Shirou had felt.  The cool lube that had trickled down the crack of the canine’s ass.

The slow movement of the lubrication, rubbing it along the crinkled and puckered hole, slipping one finger in easier than bare coat he gave his finger earlier.  Waiting a moment before slowly working a second finger inside.  Slowly scissoring his fingers, watching Shirou’s body readily accept him and as he slipped a third finger in, soothing tense muscles as Shirou stiffened at the sudden pain.  The palm of his hand rubbed, trying to coax Shirou into relaxing, the sound of his name as his lover pulled away, his fingers slipping free.  Rolling Shirou onto his back, bracing himself above the heavyweight male, the heat in the male’s pale eyes flared, joining the flaring of the soul he always loved to see.  Legs that had knelt above up parted, allowing him to get closer, cradling his body into the curve.  Hands drew him down and lips kissed him softly.  Fingers sliding softly through his hair and eyes searched his face, brows creased in worry as though Shirou was trying to memorize the way he was trying to memorize how Shirou looked underneath him.  To burn this memory and the whole weekend.

“I love you, Shirou.”

His words whispered as he made Shirou his, if only temporary.

~

The weekend had flown by so fast, as though time had known what was happening between him and Oushou and aware of what was to come.  Lingering touches, the words that Oushou had told him had his heart racing with excitement.  The feel of the snake moving inside of him, the curve of a body against his back.  The latching onto the back of his neck, his chest and one his lips, the memories that he hoped would get him through the rest of his life.  He had woken up on their last day together, his body sore and protesting when he moved.  He had to watch the man who loved him walk away, leaving him behind because of a contract that couldn’t be broken.  The words of love that still echoed in his ears.  The last kiss that Oushou gave him and the sweet, sad smile.

“No matter what happens, Shirou,” Oushou had pulled him aside before leaving, stealing one last kiss before pulling away, “remember that I love you and will be here for you.  Don’t hesitate to contact me.  Okay?”  He caught the faintest shimmer of tears before they were blinked away.

Now, after washing his body harshly, over and over while his sheets and bedding were pulled away to be washed so no lingering scent would latch onto his skin.  The removal of his temporary lover’s scent was hard enough, each time having to face his parents to make sure that nothing but his own scent remained.  The elegant box that they had handed to him, words relayed and the card that his soon to be husband had written out for him.  Taking a deep breath, slowly pulling away the label and opening the box.  Inside the rich fabric that lined the inside lay the capsule and the white device, wrapped tightly and waiting to be opened.  With the instructions laid out on what he was supposed to do and how he was supposed to plant the womb worm.  He would have to do this all by himself.

Avoiding looking into the mirror, he clenched his eyes tightly closed and wished that the tears weren’t building up.  Wishing that this was nothing more than a nightmare.

He thought everything was going perfect, almost as if his every dream and wish from years past was now coming true.  Always in the back of his mind was the thought that Yonekuni would be tired of him.  That he would wake up one day and realize that he wanted another.  That day never came and for that, he was thankful.

The talks of a family, expecting their small bubble to include something that they created.  He was nervous, but excitement and the prospect of a baby overrode his nervousness . Trying to hide the pain when Yonekuni ran off when he broached the subject one night, the slam of the front door echoing in his ears for days until Yonekuni had returned.

Enjoying the nights spent in bed, the body above him, blond hair curtaining Yonekuni’s face.  Swaying with movement as his lover moved inside him.  Clawing at Yonekuni’s back, teeth nipping and lips caressing his neck and skin, words echoed with truths and promises of what would happen.  Reveling in the power of being able to turn a magnificent male on with just barely a touch. The pleasure he received from touches and the pleasure he gave. Life, it seemed, couldn’t get any better than this.

But, like everything in life, it wouldn’t last.

He didn’t know when it started, catching the concerned looks that Yonekuni sent him. Seeing his face pale in the mirror, weight dropping off of him, no matter how much he ate. He didn’t tell the heavyweight of the debilitating pain nor the fact that his strength was leaving him. It took Yonekuni prodding him to go to the doctors.

The surprise that crossed the doctor’s face as he explained what he was and the symptoms.  The tests and the grave look that the man wore, shock draining away to fear as the doctor explained.  Words that he barely heard, the same sickness that hit his parents had moved on to him.  He clutched his hands tightly in his lap, staring down at the floor.

How could this happen?  Listening to Yonekuni’s words, alcohol fueling the fear that the blond was feeling.  Trying to smile, breaking down when he caught the fear in blue eyes that Yonekuni tried to hide.  Being pulled into arms that he knew would protect him.

Their future together wasn’t to be and as he took the hand that was offered, being helped into bed and being held.  The gentle touches, fingertips whispering across his skin as the blond conveyed his feelings to him.  Inside, he could feel his soul cry out in pain.  After years of hoping and praying for happiness, having it torn away.

He whispered words that rung with truth. Love he could, feel and touch.  The calming affect that Yonekuni’s soul had on his, he didn’t want to leave that behind.  Didn’t want to leave Yonekuni alone with his pain.

Staring at the sleeping blond, he licked his lips as he reached out, tucking strands of hair behind an ear as he cried.  It wasn’t fair, fate seemed to be playing a cruel joke on him.  Whispering Yonekuni’s name, a smile curling at his lips as he felt the blond pull him close, not letting him go.

He closed his eyes and knew, that deep down, he wouldn’t be opening them again.

He never thought it would be him that would have to say goodbye.  He always thought that Shirou would get sick of him and his ways, but no, that wasn’t what happened.  They had finished college the year before and were working together for a future.  They had talked about a family, of having a child.

Sure, he was nervous, who wouldn’t be?  The thought of having children with the one he loved scared him.   Scared him to the point that he nearly backed out. Had run off, the sight of hurt in Shirou’s eyes had him coming back just days later, his tail between his legs.  The words that Karen had torn into him, her sharp tongue was nothing compared to the guilt he felt at abandoning Shirou.

Nights were spent between the sheets, enjoying the heat that always drew him back.  Fingers that clawed at his back and the cries of his name in his ears, chanting as Shirou came.  He reveled in the pleasure he gave the heavyweight and the same that Shirou gave him.  He couldn’t believe that anything could get any better.

But it wouldn’t last.

He could remember seeing Shirou weaken slowly, losing weight despite the food he ate. Skin paling even further, a sickly color and it took him needling Shirou to go to the doctors. The surprised look on the doctor’s face when he found out what Shirou was but the shock drained away as he examined Shirou, words spoken of a disease that seemed to only afflict heavyweight dogs, extremely rare as it was.  His hands curled into fists to hide the trembling, the fear.

The worried smile that Shirou had given him when they returned home, listening to him rage and rant. The tears that slipped down Shirou’s cheeks as the wolf admitted his fear to him. Pulling his lover into his arms, he quietly held Shirou while he trembled and shook, the silent tears that stained his shirt as Shirou cried.

He confessed his fear to his brother, the only one he wanted to talk to. Staring down at his hands as he spilled everything that had been building up. He didn’t acknowledge the few tears that gathered in his eyes, only scrubbing them away.

He could see it in Shirou’s gray eyes as he held his hand out and he took it, slipping into bed and holding Shirou the way he always held him. Embracing Shirou, gently marking the male as his, the gentle crooning of his name as Shirou cried out, trembling in his arms as he came.  His movements slow, caring and sweet as he watched the wolf’s face for any sign of pain.  Burying his face in Shirou’s neck, he whispered the words that he knew Shirou always loved to hear.

It would be less than three days later, waking up and looking down at the sleeping male.  The soft smile that graced lips, tear tracks that had long dried.  The heat that always had his soul singing now had his soul lamenting.  He knew his lover had slipped away from him while he slept.

Bowing his head, he let the tears slip freely as his body trembled.  He lost his lover to something they had no control over.  He didn’t acknowledge the trembling of his body, eyes clenched tightly closed while his lips formed the words that would forever ring true.

He could hear the sound of frustration coming from the bedroom just down the hall.  Trying to focus on what he was watching, it was a second sound followed by a loud thud against the wall, he found himself moving quickly.

Looking into the bedroom that he shared with his lover, he caught the worrying of a bottom lip as Shirou stared down at the floor.  He didn’t hear the wolf speak, only a whoosh of air that resembled a sigh, watching the  male lay back against the bed.  The slight bump along the heavyweight’s waist, a symbol of the future that he planned with Shirou.

When he was sure that Shirou was sleeping or at least closing his eyes, he leaned further into the room.  Keeping his hands on the door jam, he caught sight of the small pile of clothes that littered the floor.   Biting his lip, glancing from the clothes to back to Shirou before withdrawing and closing the door quietly behind him.

He knew his partner was frustrated with the changes of his body.  Clothes that used to fit were now too snug to wear, heat that Shirou couldn’t shake off.  Karen had told him once before or maybe it was two times since he didn’t pay attention, that Shirou’s body was changing to accommodate the child.

Hormones that were usually reserved for women were now coursing its way inside Shirou.  Temporarily for the baby, it still made the canine snappish at times and more than just a little down.  Determined, he grabbed his wallet before leaving the apartment.  Glancing up at the summer sky and the darkening clouds with the hopes that the rumbling sounds he heard, rain would hold until he got back.

~

Bags in hand, he stood outside the door and cursed himself for not grabbing his key.  Just as he started to shift the bags, the door opened and gray eyes that he knew so well peered up at him.

“Oh, there you are. You left without saying anything,” Shirou commented softly as he stood back, allowing him to step into the room, “I was a little worried since you didn’t say anything.”

As the door closed, he caught the exhaustion on his lover’s face and shook his head.  With both the exams for their college classes and the pregnancy were taking a toll on Shirou.

“Come here,” his voice gruff, pulling Shirou into his arms one the bags that he had been carrying were set aside, “it’s okay, you know.”  He tried to comfort the tired canine, letting his fingers slip through soft hair while arms crept around his sides and the embrace that he knew enveloped him.

~

“Oh, Yonekuni,” words whispered as Shirou leaned back against him, resting his head on his shoulder, “you didn’t have to go out and get me something.”  The gentle hand on his arm and while the summer heat hit the city, his body readily accepted the heat that Shirou’s body offered him.  After all, he could drown himself in what Shirou offered and never get enough.

“Well, I saw were frustrated with unable to fit in your clothes-”  His words came to a  halt at the light laughter.

“Oh, I’m not having any problems with fitting into my clothes.  I guess you saw me frustrated.  Well,” he watched as Shirou peered up at him through his bangs, “I was frustrated because I forgot to ask for a box to put the clothing in.  I guess you saw the clothing on the ground.  I accidently knocked the clothing I got you for your birthday off the bed and nearly tripped over my feet.”

Heat crept up his cheeks in embarrassment for jumping to conclusions.  Feeling as though he made a fool of himself, he turned his head away so the wolf wouldn’t see his embarrassment and shame.  The sound of a bowl being set aside before the figure in his arms turned around.  Lips that were cold from the ice cream that Shirou had been eating trailed up his neck while fingers gently turned his head.

“Don’t be like that, Yonekuni.  While you were wrong about what I was frustrated with, but the gesture you made was sweet.”  Parting his lips for the curious tongue, rumbling from his chest at the taste of Shirou and the lingering taste of the ice cream his lover had been eating.  ”Really, the gesture was sweet and the gentle way you’ve been around me has been making this much easier to handle.”

Missing the taste of Shirou as the male pulled back, slipping off the couch to kneel on the floor.  Hands that had been holding his head dropped to his legs, rubbing along the cloth of his jeans.  ”Really sweet, that I want to treat you in my own special way.  Think of this as a early birthday present.”  He barely caught the knowing look that Shirou gave him while hands teased him to hardness.  Biting his lip, he could only watch as Shirou treated him.

He had it written out, had all that he wanted to say down.  Practiced it over and over again, trashing it when the paper became wrinkled and wet from the tears that he couldn’t stop.  The first several drafts were torn out of his notebook, crumbled and thrown away because of the smearing of ink.  The stains of water, of tears that he was ashamed to say that he shed.  When at last he managed to write out all that he wanted to without crying, thinking that his tears had dried up for the last time.

Avoiding looking at his phone, knowing that if he did, it would start all over.  Of course, he had to use his last resorts to stop the flood of what caused him to write the letter.  His new phone lay silent in his pocket while his old one lay on his desk, in reach if he wanted to open it up.  He didn’t want to, of course.  Worrying his bottom, he thought back to the images that had bombarded him several weeks ago. And it hadn’t stopped.

From just one image, one picture that was sent to him of Yonekuni sleeping before it quickly progressed to something more graphic.  At first, he thought it was Yonekuni sending the images to him under someone else’s phone number but that thought was tossed away when the images started to feature a second figure and at times, a third person.  And what he saw numbed him down to his soul.

He hadn’t confided to anyone and really, how could he?  He couldn’t go up to Kunimasa and tell him that Yonekuni was cheating.  After all, how would the nekomata react to that.  No, he kept everything inside, buried under his will.  After years of holding back his feelings, he could hold back the heartbreak he felt.  He held everything inside, images that escalated from pictures to video.  Graphic and vulgar, as though Yonekuni was acting in a porn, but he knew the truth.

Finishing what he wrote,slipping the paper into his pocket and grabbed the small duffle bag.  He didn’t want to leave anything of his behind, didn’t want to have to go back and pick up what he may have missed.

The train ride was made in silence. Leaning against the pole, watching thd scenery pass by in a colorful blur. The numbness that he felt started to fade, pain that he had been keeping at bay started to hit him.  Struggling to keep his mask up and in place, he bit down on his tongue until the droplets of blood hit his taste buds.  He couldn’t show the public what he was feeling nor could he let on to what he had planned.  With the letter placed safely in his pocket while he held the duffle bag close, he stepped off the train and followed the sidewalk that would soon lead him to Yonekuni’s apartment.

‘This is the last time,’ he thought to himself as he glanced up at the building, ‘that I’ll be visiting here.’

Taking the stairs, he took a deep breath and failed to stop the tears that finally slipped free.  The mask that he wore finally crumbled.  With the spare key that was given to him, he let himself into the empty apartment.

~

The blast of cold, winter air ate at him as he left work, pulling his heavy coat tighter, zipping it up before pausing at the corner of the street.  To his right, the pathway would lead him to the train platform that would soon have him heading home to the warm apartment and the comfortable bed.  And to his left, a path that would lead him, although longer, toward Shirou’s house.  A place that he hadn’t visited in months.  Chancing on his luck, stepping into an open cafe to warm up.

As his drink was being made, he called the one number he had been avoiding.  As his call rang on, he bit down on his cheek in worry.  Usually when he did call the heavyweight, the male would have already answered.  He didn’t let the frustration show when Shirou’s voice mail picked up, forcing a polite smile when his order was called.  The urge to visit the heavyweight wouldn’t leave him, but instead of following up on what his instincts told him to do, he just grabbed his coffee and headed home.

Dark, empty silence filled the apartment when he opened the door, the only sound that greeted him was an occasional beep coming from his bedroom.  Holding back the sound of disappointment at the empty apartment.  He had hoped that since Shirou hadn’t answered his phone, maybe he would be waiting for him.  Maybe offering to warm him up.  Slipping his shoes off to the side, he paused as he caught the lingering scent of the wolf.  So Shirou had been here.  He could feel a smile curl at his lips before he paused, feeling something underneath his foot.  Reaching and picking up the item that he had stepped on, the cool metal of the key he could make out in the dark.  Did Shirou leave his key behind?  But the door was locked when he got home.

Shaking his head, he followed the lingering scent to the kitchen, turning the light on and paused at the sight of the folded paper that lay on the kitchen counter top.  The feeling of dread filled him, reaching and snatching the paper that held his name, written in Shirou’s neat handwriting.  Unfolding the paper, read what was written for him, unable to believe his eyes.

Yonekuni, you don’t know how hard it is to write this, but I know it must be done.  I always thought my first love would never come to fruition.  But when you pulled me away, it was the happiest day of my life.  I always held onto hope that we could become more than what we already were, but I guess I was wrong.  It’s hard to say this, but because you prefer to spend your time with the girls you’ve been sleeping with, I’ve decided to end this farce of a relationship.

It hurts too much to keep holding on to you when you only want your freedom.  It’s been too long with nothing from you and I won’t hold you back anymore.  I’ll always remember you as my first love, painful as it may be.

Love, Shirou.  

Ps.  If you’re wondering how I found out, you should see for yourself.  It’s laying on your bed.  Goodbye.

He caught the faint tears that must have slipped out.  Gently folding the paper, he made his way to his bedroom where Shirou’s scent seemed to be more pronounced.  On his  bed lay Shirou’s phone, a silent message telling him that he changed his number, preventing him from contacting him.  He didn’t have to look around to see the items that Shirou had left behind over time were now gone.  Stepping further into the room and dropping down onto the bed, he saw the glittering metal that lay on top of the phone that Shirou had left behind.  The ring he had given the heavyweight for his birthday.

A promise ring, a symbol of the future that they were supposed to build together.  The phone on his bed beeped again, reminding no one and everyone that a call had been missed.  With a flip, he opened the phone and discovered how Shirou found out about the girls and the woman he slept with.  Disgust coiled in his stomach as he scanned the images and the video that was sent to Shirou.  The numbers the images where sent from.  A few from his phone and the rest, from others that he must have slept with.

Holding the ring in his hand, curling his fingers around the ring that he had slipped on Shirou’s finger, he bowed his head and closed his eyes.

He could feel it, softly and gently, the touch of fingertips trailing across his skin as he laid out in bed. Back to the person behind him, he pretended to be asleep. The warmth against his back provided him with the barest of relief, though it was nothing but a pale imitation of what he had felt less than two weeks ago.

The soft humming from the girl behind him stirred up irritation in the pit of his stomach, the continuation of patters along his arm. Though when the girl approached him, he told her that it was nothing but a one time thing. But the way the girl clung to him, the look in her eyes and now, recognizing the tune of what she was humming. Suppressing the shudder that ran through him, the sex he had with her was nothing but boring and dull, as it has been with other girls before he had laid with Fujiwara.

Every single one of them, dull and boring, leaving his body yearning for the excitement he had felt with the heavyweight. When lips trailed down his neck, murmured words that were meant for his bloodline and not for himself, for what his body offered, he threw away the pretense of sleeping and got up. The want was easy to pick up earlier and though he ignored the signs, he took what she offered.

Regret and guilt at at him when he pictured the quiet male. The understanding smile and knew that once again, he had made a mistake. Dressing in the clothes he had worn earlier, ignoring her inquiries of where he was going and if he wanted more. Grabbing his jacket, he slipped out of the apartment, pulling it tightly around his shoulders.

Would Fujiwara know what he did? Would he figure out what happened and what he did? Would the wolf understand and forgive him? Leaving behind the dull apartment and the dull owner in bed, he let his feet guide him. Uncaring that the rain was slowly falling on and around him. He hoped that the rain would wash away the guilt of what he done and on the surface, he would balk at the word “guilt”. After all, he wasn’t quiet in a relationship with anyone. Wasn’t committed to just one person.

And yet, in the back of his mind, words whispered by his soul and his instincts told him differently. Shaking his head, he changed the direction he was originally headed and turned, heading to the apartment that he shared with his brother. Feelings that were new and uncomfortable raged inside him, leaving him with nothing but a sour taste in his mouth and a headache.

Tonight wouldn’t be the night to think about emotions that he refused to acknowledge.

Slowly approaching the train platform, glancing around nervously.  After what happened, he was nervous and no one could blame him for that. Scanning those that were waiting for the train, making sure that those who were waiting weren’t the two who had been groping him.  He did this almost every day when he rode the train, the only time that he didn’t was when he stayed with Yonekuni over night.  But it had been over two weeks, going on three weeks, since Yonekuni had showed up on his doorstep that morning.  Escorting him to school and confronting the two twins on the groping.  The jealousy that Yonekuni had shown that day and more, afterwards, the insistence of him staying over and the marking that Yonekuni had done.  Ducking his head, trying to hide the coloring of his cheeks and feeling his heart start to race as he remembered all the touches that the blond had given him.

Having stepped down and away from the train platform, he followed Yonekuni away from the station.  The blond had kept him by his side as they walked, the muttering under Yonekuni’s breath as they bypassed their school and those that lingered in the courtyard.  Catching the whispers and the leers, he didn’t tell Yonekuni that he heard what they were speaking of, bits and pieces of gossip.  And if he did tell Yonekuni, he was sure that the blond wouldn’t listen to him.  Down the street and around the corner towards the large apartment building, passing Kunimasa as he came down the stairs , the amused look that the nekomata shot them.

“Yone..kuni?”  The slam of the front door was his answer, quickly toeing off his shoes as the heavyweight did, following his partner down the hall.  The broad of the blond’s back outlined by the light from a window and the words that had him pausing before a hand shot out.

“The thought of someone’s hand on you pisses me off.  Even if it’s just an innocent touch-” Words growled and bitten off, fingers curling around his wrist, being pulled against the blond.  ”But I’m going to mark you and cover you in my scent.”  Forced into Yonekuni’s bedroom, turning at the sound of the door closing.  He wasn’t expecting to be tossed onto the bed with a force that would usually be reserved to those who pissed Yonekuni off.  The male followed him, kneeling above him with one hand braced on the bed, the other grabbing and tilting his head.  A nose brushing against his neck, lips parted as a tongue tasted his skin.  Lips mouthed at his neck, light sucks that he knew would turn into strong nibbling and biting.

It was the closest thing he had to intimacy that he had gotten in months since Yonekuni first laid with him.  The comfortable embraced that lead to more. Nuzzling, hands slipping under his shirt to thumb at his nipples, bringing them to hardness.  He took liberty, instead of lying there, slipping his own hand down, palming at the bulge that strained Yonekuni’s pants.  Fingers outlining Yonekuni’s cock, the twitch and the sound that escaped the blond’s lips.  Reminding him of the times that Yonekuni found his way home, the sounds that would ring in his ears.  Hands that would slide across his chest in a possessive move that gave him false hope.  Even after everything that happened, the mission the heavyweight gave himself seemed to go on and while he didn’t mind it, he managed to get his hand slipped into Yonekuni’s clothing.  The look that weighed heavy with words, the permission before he continued.

The following day, others at school gave him a wide berth, the looks of envy and that of curiousness.  Almost as if they were wondering why he was carrying Yonekuni’s scent, but knew that they didn’t dare ask.  At the time, he felt the looks and the stares, the words they wanted to speak were held close and unspoken as the days and weeks passed by until they had something else to gossip about.  But he knew, couldn’t put it past them to let the subject drop, even if they didn’t bring it up to him.

The sound of the approaching train pulled him from the memories of Yonekuni marking him and to the present, waiting and watching as the train slowed down to a stop.  The hiss of the doors opening, watching as those depart and out of the corner of his eye, movement of someone walking past him.  The nearly familiar hair had him tensing before the person turned, looking at him before shaking his head and continuing on his way.  The fear that started to creep up on him eased, the sigh of relief that escaped his lips went unheard by those that surrounded him.  Unable to keep his body from tensing up as he entered the train, taking a spot on the full compartment.  Late at night, just when he was drifting off, he could recall the feel of hands that crossed his body.  Fingers that belonged to a stranger.  To two strangers, touching him and leaving him feeling ill.  There was only one person he wanted to touch him.

But since he no longer hand the problem of the two groping him during the morning train ride, it had become what it used to be, peaceful.  The only touching of his body was that of someone brushing against him as the train moved along the tracks.  The murmured words of apology and the movement as the person stepped back, away as to make sure that it didn’t happen again.  He thought back to the gossip that had spread about him and about his involvement with Yonekuni.  Pretending as though the talk didn’t bother him and really, it didn’t.  Who cared if they talked about him?  He rarely caught the words that were spoken, only the heated looks, sent both his and Yonekuni’s way.  Hints of envy, wanting to know and to get closer, as though they had a hint of what he was.

Shaking his head, he braced himself as the train slowed to a stop and the routine sound of the doors opening, stepping off and away from the train.  The faintest chill in the air lingered and though it didn’t bother him, he knew that it would cause a problem for Yonekuni.  Pulling the light jacket closer to his body, soaking it with his heat and his scent, he followed the steps that he had taken so many times.  Catching the faint sounds of footsteps running up to him and the sound of Oushou’s voice calling out to him.  Pausing and turning, watching as his friend slowed down from a jog to a stead paced walk, joining him at his side before they continued on towards school

“Shirou, when are you going to deal with those who are talking about you?”

Biting his tongue to keep from retorting back to Oushou that he was going to just ignore what was going on, but he didn’t want his oldest friend to know what had been going on.  ”I don’t know what you’re talking about-”

“You don’t?  Shirou, rumors have been going around for a while about you and now, the two new transfer students have been talking about you.  One of them is in my home room class.  The ony, I’m not sure, but he was asking about you.”  The confusion on Oushou’s face and the words that reminded him of the two who harassed him.  ”Asking if I knew you and what class you were in.  Though, the strangest thing, he asked where you lived.  Of course, I didn’t tell him where you lived,” Oushou added as an afterthought, “the way he was going on, you’d think he was planning on making a move on you-”  Oushou’s words paused as they walked, looking at him, examining him to see what was the matter.  ”What’s wrong, Shirou? You’re really pale.”

Mustering up a forced smile, he couldn’t tell Oushou what had been happening.  It was bad enough that he broke his friend’s heart by rejecting him and though he continued to be his friend, He couldn’t help but feel guilty.  Shaking his head, hoping that his friend would buy the lie he was giving him.  ”N-no, it’s nothing.  What’s this transfer student’s name?”  He had to know, so he could be on the look out and prepare himself for whatever they had planned.

Almost a minute of silence before Oushou spoke up, a look of concentration on his face.  I only know him by his family name.  Inu-something-” Another pause before dark eyes lit up.  ”It’s Inutani, though I think his first name is foreign.  It’s the same with his brother, I think.  Anyway, I though you should know since they seem so interested in you.  I don’t like how he’s talking about you.  I-even though you chose Madarame over me, I’ve lived with it.  But the way this newcomer is coming in and planning to make a move on you.”

Aware of the look that his middleweight was giving him, he stopped when the hand shot out and grabbed him by his wrist, stopping him in his tracks.  ”Shirou, I care for you.  More than you’ll ever know.  And I know that you’re lying to me.  Please, even though I can’t be the one you want, don’t treat me like this.  What’s happened?”

A deep breath before looking around, making sure that no one was over hearing him before he spilled what happened.  From the weeks of groping to what happened three weeks ago.  The full blown molestation and the confrontation between Yonekuni and the two, though he left out what Yonekuni did afterwards, the marking and the emotions.  By the time that he finished telling his friend what happened, his cheeks were flushed and he kept his gaze away from Oushou.  Embarrassment had filled him, shame and everything in between filled him.

“No wonder you skipped school that day.  I was really worried about you, you know.”  The words were stiff, no longer holding the comforting tone that they had and he knew the reason.  ”If I hear him say anything, I’ll let you know, okay?  I-uh, I got to go.  Club activities before school.  I’ll see you later.”  Holding back the sound of frustration, knowing it would be pointless to get upset at both Yonekuni and at Oushou.  After all, he couldn’t blame his friend for not wanting to stick around him with Yonekuni next to him.  Not with Yonekuni starting to rub their relationship in Oushou’s face, constantly reminding Oushou of what he lost and didn’t have.  And he couldn’t blame Yonekuni either, the male was guarding his “territory”.  Nipping on his tongue at the word, he never really considered himself as “territory” but in the madararui world, the world had a completely different meaning.  Reminding himself that he still had a whole lot more to learn about a world that he was now apart of.

“So, what did he want?”

Ignoring the sneer in the blond’s words, knowing that his partner and lover would never embrace the friendship that he had with Oushou, Shirou answered as they headed towards their school.

“He told me about the new transfer students.  About the gossip and the rumors that have been going around.  The transfer student, one of them, is in his home room class and mentioned me a lot.  Asking suspicious questions.  Going as far as asking Oushou where I lived,” Shirou kept his gaze forward and took a deep breath, “and I believe he was one of the two who was on the train with me.”

“You mean…”

He didn’t have to know the question, nodding his his head.  ”Yeah, I think so.”

There wasn’t a moments pause before Yonekuni cursed.

“Shit!  Come on, we need to hurry up.”  His stride quickened, keeping pace with yonekuni.  ”It’s still there, my scent brand.  But I need to reinforce the brand on you,” opening his mouth to speak up, the glare that the blond had him snapping his mouth shut and following Yonekuni close behind, “if it’s true, I’m not going to take the chance.  We’re heading to the bathroom.”  He knew there was a flush of color to his cheeks as they entered the courtyard of the school, passing those first and second year students, keeping his gaze forward until they reached the bathroom

~

By the time they made it to their class, minutes before the bell was scheduled to ring, he had caught more than a few sly glances that were sent their way.  The audible sniffs as he passed, the fevered whispers of speculations of what he was and if he was nothing but a monkey, why was he with Yonekuni.  He refrained from correcting them, he couldn’t give out his secret.  That alone was for Yonekuni.  The groans of disappointment was louder than the whispers and while he felt satisfaction at that, the sound of the door sliding open pulled his and everyone’s attention to the from.  As their teacher started, he tried to keep his glaze forward and away from Yonekuni.  Rarely did he get to see Yonekuni jealous, to see him riled up and with what happened on the train, it was his first glimpse of what he wanted to see more of.

His worries about earlier that morning and what was soon to come were on the back of his mind, never leaving him, never giving him complete ease as the day past.  By the time the bell signaled the start of a well deserved break, he was ready to just push away everything that had happened and take refuge in the place that had become his second home.

“You didn’t do that good on the exam, did you?”  Shirou asked as he sipped from his drink, watching as broad shoulders tense before dropping just enough to let him know that he was right.  The nod of a blond head, watching as blue eyes burned at him.

“How is it that you get better grades than me?”  The question asked as Yonekuni placed his drink aside, lifting up the steamed meat bun, taking a bit while waiting for his answer.

“Well, I think with your part time job, you don’t have much time to study.”  He mused as he thought inward, knowing how tired the blond was after he had to work at the restaurant.  ”If you cut back on the hours, you should be able to study.  But I know that you have to do what you have to do,” chewing on his bottom lip as he rolled what he wanted to say over and over in his mind before swallowing and opened his mouth, may-maybe I can help you study.  I mean, we’ve got another exam exam coming up and you don’t have to work this weekend, do you?”

When did the male across from him get so bold?  It wasn’t too long ago that Shirou was hesitant on making such requests and offer.  The amused smile that crossed his lips, watching the flush to Shirou’s cheeks darken, as though the male realized what he had said.  Really, the heavyweight didn’t know what kind of sight he provided him.  That thought had him pausing, remembering what Shirou had told him earlier.  Feeling his mood sour, he kept his expression calm, as not to alert Shirou to what he was thinking.  He didn’t want the male thinking that it was his fault for his mood changing and it wasn’t.  Though he knew Shirou couldn’t help what he was, the way the male’s body unconsciously called those around, telling those that he was ready.  Almost like the way Noririn was before he became Kunimasa’s.  Still, he didn’t like when others moved in on Shirou and while Shirou’s friend skirted the claim he made, it was something else when a unknown male down right ignored the scent claim he had on Shirou.  At the time, his claim was faint and he knew it, but it didn’t give the offending male the right to make a move on what was his.  Since that incident, he made it his mission to keep the heavyweight bathed in his scent.

The rest of the day continued in the same manner, listening to the lectures that their teachers gave them.  Each one informing them of what was to come in the following weeks.  Taking notes in the hopes that it would be enough to help him raise his grade.  Glancing out of the corner of his eye, seeing the determined look that Shirou wore, watching as the heavyweight paused in his note taking, pushing up his glasses before continuing to keep notes.

“You will all have a test next week, to determine if you are ready to continue to the college entrance exams,” the rustling of paper, sheets being handed back, from person to person, “this is just a practice exam and doesn’t count towards your grade.  It’s just to know where you’re weak on knowledge and where you’ll need to pick up.  And with that,” the sound of the bell ringing, “class is dismissed.”  The sounds of chairs being pushed back, the chattering of those that turned to friends and classmates to plan for activities.

“Except for Madarame Yonekuni.  I need you to stay behind.”

He heard the loud curse and hid his smile, knowing that the blond would take the smile as teasing.  ”I need to pick up some things from the library.” the frown that Yonekuni wore deepened and the sound of “tsking”, as though the heavyweight didn’t like the fact that he needed to pick up some material from the library.  But the idea of helping Yonekuni getting his grades up, the material he needed was required.

“Fine.  Just keep an eye out and don’t leave the library.  I’ll be by to pick you up.  As soon as the teacher tells me what he wants.”  Under the gruffness of Yonekuni’s voice, he caught the hint of worry and kept his head down so the blond wouldn’t see the pleased look on his face.  Nodding his agreement, gathering up his notes and slipping them inside his bag, turning to leave only to be stopped by the hand on his arm.  ”Look, I’ve got a bad feeling about something and I don’t know why, just-, keep your guard up, okay?”  He wanted to brush off Yonekuni’s concern, but the worry in his blue eyes told him that Yonekuni was serious and all he could do was nod.

“I will, Yonekuni.”

The brief squeeze of his arm before the hand dropped away as the blond pulled away, approaching the teacher.  Giving Yonekuni one last glance before slipping away, hearing the sound of the teacher’s voice lecturing Yonekuni, Shirou followed down the path that would take him to the library.  With the prospect of studying together and the hopes of something more, his steps quickened, in a hurry for things that could come.  Moving through those that lingered in the hallway and down the stairs to the second floor, towards the double doors that lead to the library before he paused.  Feeling the hairs on the back of his neck slowly start to rise at the feeling of someone watching him, following him, looking over his shoulder and seeing no one.  Shaking his head, telling himself that he was just imagining what he was feeling, pulling at the heavy doors.

The silence of the library overwhelmed him, leaving behind the noisy hallway as he stepped quietly into the silent room.  The few that were in the library, worked closer to the front, leaving him alone as he walked further in, bypassing the empty tables that were used used for studying.  To the back, where he could work quietly and quickly, he didn’t have much to do.  Past the shelves that were full of books that were just waiting to be pulled out and read, turning to a table that was situated into a corner, over looked by a window that allowed the sunlight to stream in.  Enjoying the warmth of the sun on his skin, setting aside his bag before pulling out his notes.

‘Now,’ he thought to himself, glancing over what he had written that during his previous class, ‘where was Yonekuni having problems?’  Chastising himself for not asking before he left, setting aside his notes and made his way towards the shelves that he had passed just minutes ago in the hopes of finding what he thought would help.

He didn’t hear the footsteps on the soft carpet nor did he pay much attention to the murmured voices that passed down the isle that he occupied.  After all, it was quite normal for those studying together to research what they need.  To be partners in searching for materials that would provide the utmost help.  Though he didn’t hear the footsteps, he did feel the heated breath against the back of his neck and the familiar but unwelcoming touch of another on his arm.

“So, this is where you’ve hidden yourself,” the soft chuckle in his ear, “we’ve missed you, you know.”

A second voice joined in, breath against his ear, speaking as hands joined the set that were already on his body.

“Really, you should call off your bodyguard or is he your boyfriend?”  One mused softly, though he knew by the feel of a body pressing against his side that the male was talking to the other.  ”No, he must be your boyfriend if your scent is that marred by the scent that you carry.”  He could hear the displeasure in the male’s voice.  ”Your scent that calls out to those who are willing to listen.  And we’re willing to listen to what your body is telling us.”  Hands clutching at his wrists, pulling him away from the shelf and towards the table that his bag laid on, which was now tossed to the floor with a thud.  Hands tightening on his wrists further, jerking him back and forcing him onto the table.  He caught the nod of a head, watching the auburn haired male nod.

“We both know that you could easily throw us off.  After all, you’re a heavyweight, a special one at that, isn’t that right?”  The leer that went with the words as his shoulders were forced down by hands as the dark haired male climbed up onto the table, forcing all his weight against his shoulders.  ”But you won’t do that, will you?  Because if you do, all it’ll do is attract attention to you .  And everyone will see what their president likes to do once school is over.”  The knowing grin from the one who held him down, dark hair curtained the male’s face as he bent down and he couldn’t hold back the shudder of disgust.

Body trembling as fear raced through him, jerking at the hold that the one had on him.  Gritting his teeth, he could feel the animal inside him flare up, his soul bursting forth in the hopes of forcing them off of him.  But his action was only met with the widening of eyes.

“So that’s what you are,” the whisper from the auburn haired male as he scooted close to the table, moving in and kneeling above him on the table, “I’ve heard talk about a breed like yours.  A species on a completely different scale than those like us.  Even more rare than we thought.  Lucky.”  He could only watch as the male leaned down, rubbing his nose against his neck and breathing deeply.  ”If only I could catch a whiff of your raw scent, untainted by another.”  Swallowing back the wave of nausea when he felt the shudder.

“Breading with you will produce a stronger offspring.  Elevating our status in both society and in blood.  Just think, Remus, if we breed with him, our line will be stronger.  More desired than our ancestors were.”  The auburn haired male murmured against the side of his neck.

“And just how do you think you’ll accomplish that?”  The question from behind the one top of him, familiar voice of his partner and though he couldn’t see Yonekuni, he could feel the anger radiating from the blond.

Hands that could crush bone curled tightly at his sides as he watched the two that he had chased off paw and touch Shirou in ways that he was only allowed to touch the male.  He watched as the two stiffed.  One looked at him from his position over Shirou’s head and the other, from over his shoulder.

“Ah.  The body guard.  But rather that, you must be his partner.  I must say,” the one who pinned Shirou to the table spoke up, dark eyes full of amusement, “your scent doesn’t suit him, you know.”  One step forward and then,, another, he kept his gaze on the wolf before he reached out, curling his fingers around the auburn haired male’s arm.

“I warned you that he’s my bitch and yet, you’re still poaching on my territory.”  Fingers digging in the muscle of the arm, curling his lip in both disgust and in satisfaction at the muffled cry of pain as his grip tightened.  The faintest sounds of a crack could be heard and he knew he had succeeded in on way as he pulled the male off Shirou, tossing the dog into the sturdy shelving with a bang.  Turning to see the second dog slip from from his place on the table.  The faintest of outlines, seeing the male’s soul but knew it was no match to his, letting it loose to show what they were against.  The smirk on his face told them that they wouldn’t win.

“Just because you’re a heavyweight doesn’t mean you can watching him all the time.”

He could only narrow his eyes at the pathetic attempt of words, knowing that dark haired male was trying to bluff, failing miserably at it.

“Pathetic words for one being so plain and desperate, moving in on someone when he’s already claimed.  Don’t think you’ll take him from me, I don’t let you get any closer,” rolling his shoulders as he showed the middleweight just what he was dealing with, “take your brother and get out of here.  If I see either of you sniffing around him again, I’ll do more than just crack your brother’s arm.”

Lips that were pressed tightly together while dark eyes were defiant, watching as the uninjured male stalk past him.  He didn’t have to look to know that the male was helping his brother up, but he caught the hateful glance sent his way before the two left in a way that told him that their tails were tucked between their legs as they walked away in defeat.  Turning back towards the still shocked male, pulling Shirou up and off the table, forcing the heavyweight against his body.

“What did they do to you?”  Words growled out between clenched teeth, grasping tightly to Shirou’s chin, jerking the male’s up and to the side.  Looking closely at the canine’s neck and chin, checking to see if the male was marked in any way by the two.  When he couldn’t find anything that told him that Shirou marked by them, other than the faint smell of dog, did he lean in and nose the spot below Shirou’s ear.  Mouthing at the spot, a sound from Shirou that his soul understood.

The acceptance and the wave of pheromones, drawing him in closer.  Pheromones that he knew Shirou only gave off for him.  Finding the right spot, teeth latching on pale skin while he sucked, only pulling back to exam the spot he had laved with attention.

“Didn’t I tell you to be careful?”

He could only shake his head at the shame that covered his partner’s face and eyes, the worry of a bottom lip.  ”Come on, let’s go.  We’re already attracting attention,” a small nod of his head towards the shelving behind them, seeing the figure of a person attempting to hide behind the shelf, “besides, they’re not going to just stop because I said so.  So, I’ve-no, we have some work ahead of us.”  The shame that lingered in Shirou’s gray eyes after they left school, heading for the apartment he shared with Kunimasa.  ”It’s not your fault you’re getting groped.  Rather, the scent you’re letting out isn’t being fully covered by the scent I placed on you.  Which means I’ll have to do something else.”  He looked away, knowing that his face was flushed at the double meaning of his words.  They continued on, walking as each thought about the words that he had spoken

“So, what did the teacher want?”  Shirou asked, the question spoken to break the thick silence that encompassed them, knowing that Shirou had the same thoughts as he.  Biting down on his lip to keep from smiling and showing Shirou that he was happy that he chose him.

“Same thing as always, about my grades.  So, are we still on for “studying” this weekend?”